1897.] Flora and Fauna of Mammoth Cave, Ky. 385 
thirds as long as the third. Scutellum bare, except for the four 
marginal bristles. Wings grayish hyaline, tip of second vein 
nearly midway between the apices of the first and third veins, 
third vein nearly straight, terminating close to the extreme 
wing-tip, fourth vein subobsolete beyond the discal cell, fifth 
vein continued beyond the hind cross-vein over one-half of the 
length of the latter, second basal and anal cells wanting. 
Length 1.5 mm. to 3 mm. Fifteen specimens, collected in 
alcohol, from Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.” (Coquillett.) 
A considerable number of additional specimens have been 
secured since the original lot which was forwarded to Mr. 
Coquillett, representing both sexes. These specimens and the 
original ones all came from the same parts of the cave, in which 
the species is fairly common. The number of individuals ap- 
pears to be quite considerable, and many more could have been 
secured with a good net and proper appliances. The localities 
are allin River Hall, one near the Cascade, which is to the right 
of the visitor who crosses the Styx ; the other is near the head 
of Echo River. In both localities the floor of the cave is cov- 
ered with a thick coating of rich mud, which contains enough 
dead organic matter to permit the rank growth of clumps of 
large hymenomycetous fungi of the genus Coprinus. In the 
decaying specimens of this fungus the flies are found, both 
in larval form and in imagos. They run about over the wet 
earth and clay rather briskly, or, if disturbed, fly a short dis- 
tance and again settle down. The species is the smallest that 
is found in the cave. The body is, however, considerably 
heavier than that of the Phora which is herein described. 
The two forms next following have been reported only by 
generic name from Mammoth Cave. The material collected by 
me was somewhat abundant, and definitely places these forms 
in the cave fauna. The original descriptions are given together 
with the bibliographic references ; these are followed by a new 
description prepared by Mr. Coquillett, based upon the males, 
in the first case, and upon specimens of both sexes in the de- 
scription herein newly made. 
Sciara inconstans Fitch? 
* First and Second Reports on the Noxious, Beneficial and other Insects of the 
State of New York, p. 255, 1856. 
27 
