24G THE ENTO^rOLOGIST. 



considerable damage to the crops whilst in the larval state. 

 Some species occur chiefly in woods. 



DixiiD^ : 3 or 8 species of this small group are British. — • 

 Their habits and appearance are similar to those of the Tipulidse. 



RiiYPiiiD.'E : 3 species appear to be British. — They feed on 

 over-ripe fruit, the larvae living in dung. 



Hjppoboscid.e : 3 or 4 species of this family are British. — 

 They are parasitic on animals and birds ; their development is 

 immature ; and all the species are more or less unconnnon. 



NYCTERiBiiDiE : 1 or 2 species are British. — Their habits are 

 similar to those of tlie preceding family ; but this family is apterous. 



LoNCHOPTERiD.E : about 8 species are British — They are 

 small, delicate, active flies, occurring in fields and woods in spring. 



A linear arrangement of families is impossible, and authors 

 differ to some considerable extent in their opinions as to the 

 positions of several of the families. 



In the above series of notes, I have adopted Schiner's order, 

 with one or two modifications. A few writers include the Pulicida3 

 (fleas) in the Diptera ; but I fail to see their right to a place in 

 this order. 



Works on British Diptera are very few, and also difficult to 

 obtain. Walker's ' Insecta Britannica,' Di[)tera (3 vols.), and Curtis's 

 ' British Entomology,' Diptera, are the two best; but the former 

 is quite useless for studying some of the groups, and both of them 

 are incomplete, and introduce many species that are not British. 

 Schiner's ' Fauna Austriaca,' Diptera, is undoubtedly the best 

 work on European Diptera, but being in German many students 

 may find it a sealed book. 



I think the notes given above should be found sufficient as a 

 basis to anyone thinking of adopting the Diptera as a special 

 stud}', or even taking a partial interest in them. 



To those who desire further information, I will willingly 

 render all the assistance that lies in my power, and shall be glad 

 to name any specimens submitted to me for that purpose. 



I would finally appeal once more to all entomologists to take 

 all the Diptera that come in their wa}', even if they do not care 

 for the order. The specimens captured would be most welcome 

 to those taking an interest in the Diptera. Collectors will be 

 thus rendering real assistance to science. 



120, Grosvenor Park, Canil'crwell, S.E. 



