xviii Introduction 



run directly to generic and specific name together, 

 and which could be used with a hand lens. Not find- 

 ing any such, I proceeded to make one, of which the 

 Doctor approved, and which he advised me to publish. 

 Next I started a larva key, planned to reach the name 

 as quickly as possible, regardless of the genus, by first 

 taking out the larvae having the most prominent 

 characters. I also made an egg and a pupa key. 

 After going to Washington I kept on collecting and 

 experimenting, finally producing a series of keys 

 which correspond in general to those in this book, ex- 

 cept that the former contain extralimital forms, and 

 those keys (from which the present ones are abridged 

 and entirely worked over from new sets of specimens) 

 were accepted as a thesis, in part satisfaction for the 

 degree of M.S., at George Washington University. ' 

 I have especially planned the adult key for the gen- 

 eral, non-technical worker, and as a quick name-finder 

 I think it will be useful to others. The generic key 

 for larvse is simply to show relationships, as the gen- 

 eric names are also in the general larva key. 



After this, I planned to write a book around the 

 keys, one dealing with habits, etc., for popular use. 

 Dr. Dupree, in accord with his broad belief that no 

 true scientist selfishly considers any field pre-emi- 

 nently his own, but, labouring for the spreading of 

 truth and not for his own personal aggrandisement, 

 is ever ready to aid and to share his results with 

 others, offered me any aid he could give, including 

 his notes, knowing that he need not worry about re- 

 ceiving proper credit. Then we began to plan that I 



1 The Dean requests that this fact be stated in publication. 



