one male specimen of my new species seolforalis this 3rd posterior vein is totally absent, although present on the left wing. The right wing is shown in fig. 7. In all my other specimens of this form the 3rd posterior vein is present. When this vein is absent, as in the above case, one would probably be inclined to place the species in the genus Beris—that is to say, if only one specimen were available.

In most cases the antennae of the ♂ are considerably shorter than those of the ♀, and the eyes of the former are slightly closer than those of the latter.

This genus has a distribution throughout New Zealand, most of the species being found both in the North and the South Islands. Only one form, spiniger, is common to Australia and New Zealand, while seolforalis n. sp ranges from sea-level to 3,000 ft. altitude.

In his work on the Brachycera,^* Hutton describes five species, of which his new form alpina I place in the genus Berismyia for reasons stated under that division. I also agree with Walker that E. opposita of Hutton belongs to the genus Actina.

The sexes may be distinguished mainly by the length of the antennae, proximity of the eyes, size of body, and form of the abdomen. In the ♂ the abdomen usually has parallel sides or sides restricted along the middle and is narrower than the thorax, while the ♀. although narrower at the base than the thorax, as a rule becomes wider beyond the middle.

Although both the genera Exaireta and Actina are very much alike in general appearance, they may be distinguished by the fact than the eyes of the former are bare and those of the latter pubescent, either densely or thinly so.

According to the venation of the wings, I have divided the species of this genus into two main groups—(1) those with the first submarginal cell obtuse, and (2) those with this cell acute. In the one species forming the first group the wing is not clouded or is only faintly coloured, while the anterior branch of the 3rd vein arises before the middle of this vein. The four species of the second group have the wings clouded and the anterior branch of the 3rd vein beyond the middle. This group is further divided into two subgroups by comparing the lengths of the anterior cross-vein and the vem between the discal and 5th posterior cells. To one of these subgroups three species belong, and are themselves distinguished mainly by their coloration

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