2098 Insects. 



frage (Chrysosplenium oppositifolium) are the only two, in a wild state, that have dared 

 to show their blossoms. Pollenia atramentaria is common on the flowers of the first 

 mentioned plant, — on the sides of walls, — and on windows ; having passed the winter 

 in some corner, beyond the reach of the frosts. Numbers of Trichocera regelationis are 

 spread along the sides of walls, and on the borders of woods ; not regarding even the 

 chilling of the frosts and snows. It comes out of the ground in a recent state, soft and 

 white, having probably passed the previous state of its existence as a root-devouring 

 grub. In towns it resorts to cellars, and issues forth at evening ; but here it flies in 

 numerous parties, that are all the day, and late into the evening, tumbling through 

 each other. They are speedily dispersed, if one disturb them, and the scattered flies 

 generally alight ; but are withal sufficiently wary, and jealous of interference ; taking 

 flight readily at the spectator's approach. In similar localities there are numbers of 

 Borbori, whose remarkable habit, when disturbed, is to push a way through about the 

 roots of the grass; mount the blades ; and when dislodged, to hurry over the walls in 

 all directions. I find three species, B. nitidus, B, equinus, of which there is a small 

 variety, that is perhaps the B. geniculatus of Macquart ; and, rarer than the others, B. 

 niger. There are also several species of the allied genus Limosiua, of which as yet I 

 am dubious ; but one, not uncommon in woods, under withered leaves, agrees best with 

 the L. geniculata of Macquart. In the same situations I find a pretty insect, which I 

 name Agromyza fulvipes with some doubt ; along with a Phora, remarkable, like all 

 the genus, for its decided and rapid movements. It appears to be P. fuscipes of 

 Macquart. In windows, on wall-tops, and near the burrows of rabbits, several indi- 

 viduals of Blephariptera serrata show themselves ; also, but very rarely, B. cassia, and 

 a species related to B. fenestralis, but distinguished by the shorter setae of the antennas, 

 the deeper tint of the abdomen, and the dark-coloured femora. It squats close to the 

 stones on which it rests ; and like those of the others, its larva is in all likelihood co- 

 prophagous. I took a single individual, a male, of Helomyza flava, from the trunk of 

 a tree ; which appears to have considerably anticipated its regular time of appearance. 

 Scatophaga squalida, both sexes, is widely distributed. Aricia errans basks in the sun, 

 on stone walls, by the side of ploughed fields ; and is by no means readily to be come 

 at. Forming little bands in the sunshine, and scattered along the margin of rivulets, 

 three or four minute species of Chironomus sail to and fro. A small species of Molo- 

 brus, with short antennae and black legs, is dispersed here and there ; in one instance I 

 noticed it in the nest of the yellow ant ; and on the top of a wall I met with the fe- 

 male of a species of Cecidomyia, for which I do not find any description. In marshy 

 places, and among moss, there is a species of Lonchoptera, everywhere abundant, of a 

 slaty-black colour, with the wings palest at their insertion. Several species of Myceto- 

 pliila, and other fungivorous gnats, have appeared in damp, obscure situations ; or fre- 

 quenting the spruce fir, for which, perhaps on account of its resin, they evince a great 

 predilection. Here also an individual of Simulium reptans appeared ; a species which 

 occurs in large bands in the woods in May, and is sufficiently tormenting, if it settle 

 upon an exposed part of the body. Another very dark-coloured species also occurred, 

 which, not having the description before me, I conjecture may be S. nigrum. Of this 

 species Mr. Curtis (Brit. Ent. 765) remarks, that it appears in the " beginning of 

 March, when a great number settled on a white beaver hat at Cobham, Surrey.'' In 

 swamps, and on clear running streams among the crowded star- wort (Callitricheverna), 

 small flights of Clinocera stagnalis, Hal., settle themselves. They have very much the 

 habit of Medetcri, and their long logs, and the close, fine, white silvery down, with 



