•34 INTRODUCTION. 



a well-made cabinet of mahogany, oak or teak ; the latter wood 

 being the only one that will survive the climatic conditions of the 

 tropics, and even then only in certain regions and with the 

 greatest possible continual care. In all climates in which there is 

 much moisture, a small wad of wool soaked in carbolic acid or 

 creosote must be retained in a corner of each drawer to prevent 

 mould, and the liquid constantly renewed. Kaphthaline, camphor 

 or creosote must also be kept in the grooves made for this 

 purpose to keep away mites or similar creatm-es. 



Diptera will keep in excellent condition in temperate climates in 

 well-made wooden or even cardboard store-boxes, if made with 

 tightly fitting lids and kept in a dry room. 



0. Standard Works for Students. 



The easiest way in which a beginner can obtain a good insight 

 iinto the families of the Diptera is to obtain tracings, drawn by 

 ihimself if possible, from plates and figures of the wings of a few 

 'of the leading genera of each family (or at all events, of all those 

 genera that give their names to the families), and then to arrange 

 them in a copy-book, leaving ample space for additions and notes. 

 To the wings may advantageously be added the corresponding 

 antennae and palpi. An even moderate study of these placed side 

 by side in their systematic f-equeuce, added to the general 

 appearance or " fcicies " of the different families — a perception he 

 will easily acquire — will give him the quickest preliminary 

 knowledge of classification possible. 



As the soundest inlroduction to the study of the whole order 

 ■there is no work to be compared for reliability and conciseness, 

 Avith Schiner's " Fauna Austriaca, Diptera," in two volumes (1862- 

 1864). The tables of genera are in themselves a mine of 

 information. 



In addition to this work may be earnestly recommended Prof. 

 Williston's 3rd edition of his " North American Diptera " (1908). 

 It is fully up to date, has the advantage of being in English, and 

 is profusely illustrated by diagrams of wings and other parts of 

 the body. These two works in conjunction will make the student 

 acquainted with many hundreds of genera, a large proportion of 

 ■which are cosmopolitan or nearly so. Both works are easily 

 obtained at a moderate price.* For minuteness of detail and the 

 full history of synonymy in the families dealt with, Mr. Verrall's 

 huge work on "British Flies" should, when completed, be the 

 standard work on the order for the next century. Other works 

 which are absolutely indispensable to the earnest student, 

 especially of exotic flies as well as European species, are : 

 Meigen's " SystematischeBeschreibung, etc.," Wiedemann's " Aus- 

 sereuropaische zweiflugelige Insekten," Macquart's " Dipteres 



* About thirty-two shillings and sixteen shillings respectively. 



