( 283 ) XL The systematic affinities of the Phoricla3 and of several Brachycerous families in Diptera. By W. Wesche, F.R.M.S. Communicated by J. E. Collin, F.E.S. [Read April Lst, 1908.] " Plate VII. While making some dissections of the mouth and genitalia of Fhora inerassata, Mg. (the comparatively large species common on our English hedgerows in August and September), I have met with many peculiarities, and have been struck with the position of the family in the systematic lists. This position has often been debated, the last contribution being from Mr. Charles T. Brues of the Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A.* He considers that the Phoridoe and Lonchopterida3 are distinctly related, and" that the former also have affinities with the Borboridoe and Hippo-boscidse, the wing venation being near that of Olfersia, but as a compromise is willing that they should be placed, as Dr. Williston placed them in 1896, in the Cyclorrapha, between the Platypezidse and the Muscidae. Since then Dr. Williston has found some "Nemocerous" characters, " the venation being quite identical with that of As2nstes of the Bibionida?," and considers that the antennae do not offer " insuperable objections to the location of the family among the Nemocera." He attaches great importance to the fact that in several species tiie palpi are two-jointed, f The publication of these views called forth Mr. Brues' essay, which contains a very able statement of the position, an exhaustive review of the literature, but, I regret to say, no convincing argument to support his views. The late Baron von Osten-Sacken saw the affinities be-tween the Phoridai and the Lonchopteridse and included * The systematic affinities of the Dipterous family Pliorida?. — " Biological Bulletin," a'oI. xii, No. 6, May 1907. t Some common errors in the nomencLiture of the Dipterous wing.— "Psyche," Dec. 1906. TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1908. — PART II. (SEPT.)
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