632 INSECTA. 



Bucenies, Latr. (Stomojiys, Fab., 8'iphona, Meig'.), lias the proboscis elbowed twice, as in Mynpa. 

 Carntis, which Nitzsch refers to this family, is disting^uished by havini; only the rudiments of wing-s ; the direc- 

 tion of the proboscis, and the form of its antennae and body, seem to indicate that it comes near Stomuxys. 



The fourth and last tribe, Muscides, is distinguished from the preceding by having a proboscis 

 always very apparent, nicmbranous, and bilabiate, generally bearing two palpi (except in Phora)., and 

 capable of being entirely withdrawn into tbe oral cavity, and a sucker of two pieces. The antennse 

 always terminated by a palette witb a lateral seta. 



Tliese Atbericera embrace the ancient genus Masca of Fabricius, wbich the works of Fallen and 

 Meigen (without speaking of our own) have singularly modified. The difficulties, however, wbicli 

 oppose its investigation, are nevertheless far from removed; fnr although these authors li.'i\c estab- 

 lished a great number of genera, there are, nevertheless, some, ^nch as Tachina and .■Inlhouii/ia, -which 

 can only be regarded as magazines. In the work of Meigen, which is confined to the European 

 Diptera, the first of tliese genera comprises 315 species, and the second 213. Dr. Kobineau Desvoidy, 

 anxious to complete these researches and serve science, has undertaken with mucli zeal the special 

 study of the Mmcides, which he terms Myodaires, and has presented a memoir upon the subject to the 

 Royal Academy of Sciences, [since pubhshed]. As Latreille, however, was only acquainted ^vith the 

 general distribution of this tribe through the report of M- de Blainville, presented to the Academy, he 

 was not able to make use of it : indeed, it would too far exceed the limits of this work to do so, and 

 probably alarm young naturalists by the multitude of genera which he has establisbed, and which 

 appeared to the reporter to be too shghtly characterized. ^Ye think that the work of Meigen, except 

 in respect to the revision of the two genera above mentioned, is quite sutiicient, in the actual state of 

 the science. [The vast extent of this tribe, wdiich probably equals that of all the other Diptera united 

 together, has, notwithstanding the remarks of Latreille, rendered tbe establishment of many additional 

 genera requisite. M. Macquart, in his Ilis/oirc Naturelle des Dipteres, and Messrs. Haliday and 

 Malkcr, in various detaclied memoirs, have added to tbe number of those proposed by Meigen, although 

 they have materially reduced the number proposed by Robineau Desvoidy, which amounted to 35-1, 

 divided into ten primary groups, two of which still remain unpublished, and which will of course 

 increase the number of his genera.] 



This tribe comprises the genus 



MUSCA. 



Tbe first section comprises those species which have tbe antennai inserted near the forehead ; the 

 palpi placed upon the proboscis, and retractile \\ith it into the oral cavity, and transverse nerves to the 

 wings. This section comprises eight princi])al groups, or subtribes. 



The first division (CREonitL^ij;) has very large alulcts, nearly covering the balancers. The wings are 

 generally apart, with the two terminal and external cells of the posterior limb closed by a transverse 

 nervure. 



Some of these have the epistome not beak-bke, arid the sides of tbe bead not advanced into horns. 



A portion of these have tbe seta of tlie antenna; naked. 



Ecfiiiiomi/ia, Dumeril, has the second joint of the antenns lono;est ; the last is nearly trapezoidal, with the seta 

 biarticniate at its base. Musca grosso, Linn., the largest known species, nearly as large as a Humble-bee. It is 

 black, very bristly, with the head buff, eyes brown, and base of the wings reddish. It makes a loud buzzinp;, 

 settles upon flowers in woods, and often upon cow-diuip, on which its larva resides ; the body of which is yellowish, 

 shining;, conical, with a single hook, and two fleshy horns at its anterior extremity ; the other being- terminated 

 by a circular plate, upon wliich are two spiracles, each placed upon a lenticular lobe, elevated in the middle. 

 The sefcnient after the head is also furnished on each side with a spiracle. In the cocoon of the pupa, which is 

 also conical, the posterior extremity also presents two more distinct spiracles -, its contour fornied by a plate with 

 nine flaps. [It appears to me that Latreille has erred in referring Ri::aumur's figures to Ec/i/nomi/ia gros.sa. They 

 seem to me to be those of the transformations of Mcsembrina ineridiana. 1 presume that the larva of Echinonujia 

 t/rossa is a parasite.] 



In the other Creophilfe the tliird joint of the antennae is never shorter than the second, ^fometimes tbe face is 

 nearly naked, and never clothed with long bristles. 



Gonia, Meig., has the seta of the antennae elbowed, and the abdomen with distinct segments, and convex. 



Mi/fogromiiKfy Meig., has the abdomen also convex, with distinct joints, and the seta of the antenna; straight. 



Tri.ra, Meig., differs from Miltogramma in having the third joint of the antennae scarcely longer than the 

 second. 



In the four following subgenera the abdomen is swollen, with the articulations indistinct, or flattened. 



