DIPTERA OF MINNESOTA. 113 



given S. W. W'illiston, and published by the latter in his "North 

 American Diptera," is well worth repeating here : 



"The waters of Lake Mona are clear, very heavy, have a nauseous taste, 

 and when the lake is still has a look as of oil and is not easily disturbed. The 

 water feels slippery to the touch, and will wash grease from the hands or from 

 clothes cold more readily than common soapsuds will when hot. It is said 

 that no fish or reptile lives in it, but it swarms with countless millions of larvae 

 that develop in flies which rest upon the surface of the water, as well as 

 cover everything on the immediate shore. The numbers and quantities of 

 these fiies and larvae are absolutely incredible. They drift up in heaps along 

 the shore and hundreds of bushels could be collected. They only grow at 

 certain seasons of the year, and then Indians come from far and near to gather 

 them for food. The larvae or pupa are dried in the sun, the shell rubbed off 

 by hand, when a yellowish kernel (pupa) like a small yellowish grain of rice 

 appears. This is oily, very nutritious, and not unpleasant to the taste, and 

 under the name of koo-cha-bee (so pronounced) forms a very important ar- 

 ticle of food. The Indians gave me soime of it. It does not taste badly, and 

 if one were ignorant of its origin, it would make nice soup." 



Of another species, Bphydra hians, which is abundant in Lake 

 Texcoco near the City of Mexico, Prof. Penafiel has the following to 

 say, also published in the work above cited : 



"It is of the egg's of this insect that the greater part of what is known as 

 Ahuatle is composed, and which is now used by the natives who have pre- 

 served the customs of the ancient Aztecs. The eggs are cleaned and pounded 

 into flour, and are prepared by mixing with hens' eggs, and fried with fat 

 into small cakes. The larvae are also used for food under the name of Puxi." 



We have specimens of the above species, Bphydra hians, Say, 

 taken in the Red River Valley, Minnesota. Aldrich lists 145 species 

 of Bphydridae as belonging to North America. The following are 

 Minnesota species: Bphydra hians. Say.; Parydra bituberculata, 

 Loew. ; Paralimna appendiculafa, Loew., So. Dak. 



DIOPSIDAE. 



Only one species known in this country, and none in Europe. The 

 adult presents a most peculiar appearance, in that the sides of the head 

 are produced to form a long process on either side, bearing eyes and 

 antennae, Our illustration is that of a South African species, where 



