CHAPTER III. 



ON DYEING. 



T is proposed in this work to describe 

 generally the process of dyeing each 

 colour required for the list of flies illus- 

 trated. The great secret in getting the tints accu- 

 rately consists in using very weak solutions of the 

 various dyes, and giving plenty of time for each 

 operation. In some cases it is necessary to leave 

 the materials for many days in the preparations, 

 and in others a few moments are sufficient ; con- 

 tinual experiment, attention to detail, and plenty of 

 patience, will enable the amateur to succeed even- 

 tually, and above all I would proffer the advice not 

 to be discouraged by failure. I should probably 

 be charged with exaggeration in attempting to 

 give the reader any idea of the number of times I 

 have failed, and still fail in hitting off the exact 

 tone and shade required. 



The apparatus necessary is of a very simple and 

 inexpensive character : it comprises a few common 

 glazed earthenware pipkins ; a spirit lamp to heat 



