The Genus _Nerius_ (placed by Van der Wulp in the Sub-family CALOBATINAE, following the SCIOMYZINAE) is represented by two fine species common in North Queensland. They are very slender, long-legged flies, with long, straight-veined wings, rounded at the extremities, and folded over the narrow pointed abdomen; the head, which has a distinct neck, might be described as pear-shaped, with short, stout, lance-shaped antennae standing out in front, and elongate flattened eyes with a dorsal depression between them; the abdomen is elongate, oval; and both species, about the same size, measure ½ an inch in length. _Nerius inermis_, “the Banana-stalk Fly,” is of a uniform dull brown colour, with the dorsal surface of the head and thorax striped with white, and the whole of the under surface and thighs (except a brown comma-like mark on the sides) white. The slender white maggots feed in the ends of the decaying stalks of the bunches of Queensland bananas, forming elongate reddish brown chrysalids when they pupate; they are easily bred out in captivity. This species was originally described from the Nicobar Islands by Schiner; and has also been recorded from Celebes and Aroe. _N. lineolatus_, described by Wiedemann from Java, is common in North Queensland; it differs from the last species in having the dorsal surface more thickly and brightly striped with white, and the legs being barred with white. Family 17. Anthomyia Flies. ANTHOMYIDAE. In general appearance they are very like the house fly, of small size and indefinite colour; they differ in the structure of the wings, and the eyes of the male are generally large and in contact; the antennae are bare or feathered. In their larval habits they vary very much: some are simply scavengers; others feed on living vegetation, and like the onion and cabbage flies are serious pests; and a few are parasitic. The family is a large one, and species are found in most parts of the world. The common bluish fly resting on the decaying weed, and flying along in front when one is walking along the sea shore, belongs to the Genus _Lispe_; it looks like a house fly with longish legs and a pale tint.