DIP TER A. 
45 7 
genera the third segment consists of several subseg¬ 
ments, which maybe quite distinct (Fig. 548); in others the 
antennae are only three-jointed, and the third segment bears 
a style or bristle (Fig. 549). The proboscis is usually short, 
only a few members of the family having it long like the 
bill of a snipe. The wings are broad, and when at rest are 
held half open. The empodia are pulvilliform; that is, 
Fig. 550. 
there are three, nearly equal, membranous pads beneath the 
tarsal claws (Fig. 550). 
Although the form of the antennae in certain genera 
closely resembles that characteristic of the long-horned flies 
(Nematocera), the form of the palpus even in these cases 
(Fig. 548, p) is that characteristic of the short-horned flies 
(Brachycera), being only two-jointed and not pendulous. 
The venation of the wings is comparatively generalized 
(Figs. 55 t, 552), each of the principal veins usually extend¬ 
ing distinct from the others; but in some veins VII 9 and IX 
coalesce at the margin of the wing (Fig. 5 S 2 )- Vein III is 
four-branched ; the branches of vein V are connected with 
adjacent veins only by cross-veins; and cell V a is divided by 
a cross-vein. 
The flies are predaceous. They may be found about 
low bushes and on tall grass. They are somewhat sluggish, 
and, therefore, easily caught. 
The larvae also are predaceous. Some live in earth, 
