RISE OF DIPTERA IN PUBLIC ESTIMATION 
25 
control, is of any value. With the poetic temperament a man may 
earlier grasp the future problems of Science, but the more he con¬ 
trives to suppress the Poet within him the more successfully will 
he labor on the edifice itself, however fascinating it may be to 
soar to those heights for the future attainment of which he ought 
perhaps to be working on the lowest rung of the ladder.” 
C. R. OSTEN SACKED. 
Heidelberg, Bunsen Str. 8. 
January 30, 1901. 
NOTE ON THE RISE OF THE ORDER DIPTERA IN PUBLIC 
ESTIMATION DURING THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 
Diptera during the past century have gradually risen in public 
estimation, especially among men of science. The superiority of 
their organization has been recognized by systematists. Observers 
of living specimens have noticed peculiarities in their behavior 
which prove a higher development of their faculties than of those 
of other orders. 
Diptera, more than all other insects, show a distinct love of 
freedom , while Ilymenoptera, with all their perfections, betray drill. 
Owing to their organization Diptera have more control over their 
motions than any other insects, in consequence of which there is 
a remarkable stamp of individuality in their actions. They can 
suddenly arrest their flight and poise in the air; they can not only 
swarm, but dance in cadence, or gambol in the air in the most extra¬ 
ordinary manner. It is principally the males who dance, play, and 
frolic together; during courtship they perform most ludicrous an¬ 
tics. Schiller (“ Aesthetische Briefe ”) said: “ The animal, the child, 
as well as man, play: the sense of strength and the higher sense of 
freedom derived from strength give rise to the joy of playing.” 
At Trenton Falls, N. Y., I remember watching several male Dolichopods exe¬ 
cuting a ludicrous cancan on the stony ground along the stream. The species was 
called by Loew Tachytrechus moechus (“ Monographs North American Diptera,” 
II, p. 112, “ Trenton Falls, 0. S.”). 
The following passages, borrowed from the works of different 
naturalists, have reference to the change of public opinion about 
