viii PREFACE TO THE FIRST SERIES 



and easily break whilst setting. Narrow boards, such as are used for 

 the smallest lepidoptera, will be suitable for large and medium sized 

 flies ; small ones may be set on strips of flat cork, covered with thin 

 white paper. Entomological forceps will be needed to insert the pin 

 in the thorax of the fly ; I prefer these curved, as they are also useful 

 for moving pinned specimens. If the flies are to be photographed the 

 pin must be cut off as short as possible above the thorax, and the cut 

 end blackened with a touch of " matt black." No. 20 pins will be use- 

 ful for most flies, though the large species require something stronger, 

 whilst the very small ones, if pinned at all, require the finest silver 

 pins obtainable. Taylor, New Hall Works, Birmingham, will supply 

 a sample card of pins. For setting, strips and triangles of stiff writing 

 paper, to hold legs and wings in place, and a stiff sable paint-brush, a 

 few handled bristles and a fine needle or two, also handled, will do all 

 that is required : a lens is indispensable in setting small flies, and may 

 with advantage be mounted on a simple stand to leave both hands 

 free. Some flies, especially the Tachinidae, are very brittle: care must 

 be taken in manipulating them. Culicidae should be set and photo- 

 graphed as quickly as possible, they very soon shrivel. Other flies may 

 remain about ten days on the setting boards. As to numbers, half a 

 dozen specimens should be ample, both sexes being represented, where 

 possible. Fewer will often have to suffice with rare species, and for 

 purposes of photography one well set specimen would be sufficient, were 

 it not for the ever present risk of damage in moving from the store 

 box: the slightest touch or jar will often cause the loss of a leg or 

 antenna, and the attempt to replace these is seldom successful. 



Store boxes may be had in many sizes (10x8 inches is as good as 

 any) ; whatever size is used should be adhered to, as far as possible, 

 for the sake of uniformity. They should be carefully examined for 

 mites, a great enemy to the collector; even new boxes are sometimes 

 contaminated. In sending flies by post it is well to use two boxes, 

 pinning them well into the inner, and supporting them by extra pins 

 if possible; then packing the box with shavings inside a larger one. 

 The label will of course be tied on. When finally pinning flies into 

 the store box it is essential to use a small label giving date and 

 locality, which can be pinned, written side down, by the same pin as 

 the specimen. The name, etc. of the fly is written on a second label 

 and pinned behind it in the box: the sex should be marked, where 

 known, and a number added to correspond with that in a notebook, 

 where fuller details may be recorded. Flies should be stored in a cool 



