_Helophilus bengalensis_ is a smaller, robust fly with rounded eyes; the thorax is richly barred with parallel grey lines on the dorsal surface; and there are two large lunate yellow spots at the basal portion of the abdomen. The lower part of the abdomen tapers to a rounded tip and is clothed with yellow down. This fly was originally described from Bengal by Wiedemann; Schiner has reported it from Batavia; my specimens come from Queensland. _H. griseus_ was described and its life history given in my “Entomology of the Grass-trees” (Pro. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 1896) under the name of _Orthoprosopa nigra_. The larvae, elongate in form, with a short anal tubular tail, swarm in great numbers between the outer shell and the caudex of the dead rotting trunk of the grass-trees among the slime and water. They pupate in the damp earth in captivity, forming a light brown oval case with the remains of the larval tail shortened and retracted. This handsome black fly, over ½ an inch in length, has the face and antennae bright yellow; the dorsal surface clothed with fine black pubescence; the scutellum smooth and shining; the sides fringed with scattered grey hairs; and the wings clouded. There is a second species found in similar situations; the larvae have the typical slender rat-tails, and when they pupate transform the tail into a curved tubular process at the extremity of the chrysalis. [Illustration: =Fig. 147.=--_Eristalis tenax_ (Linn.). The Drone or Bee-fly; usually found upon flowers. (“Agricultural Gazette,” N.S.W.)] _Sphiximorpha australis_, from Southern Queensland, is a very curious broad thickset black and yellow fly, with spatulate tipped antennae standing out in front of the two large eyes; the head is slightly larger than the thorax, which is stout and thickened; and the broad abdomen is rounded at the extremity. The general colour is black, with the face, three spots on the sides of the thorax, scutellum, apical portion of legs, and two bands on the abdomen rich yellow. The wings are clear, except a dark stripe along the front margin. This curious fly has a striking resemblance to some of the yellow banded mud-nest wasps (_Odynerus_ and _Alastor_), but the reason for their bright colouration and abnormal shape is at present unknown. Family 15. Wasp-flies. CONOPIDAE.