FOOT — ON IRISH DIPTERA. 71 



plates, were ready for delivery to members whose subscriptions were 

 not in arrear. 



The meeting was then adjourned to the first Wednesday in April. 



WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1871. 

 E. P. Williams, Esq., Y. P., in the Chair. 



The minutes of the previous meeting having been read, confirmed, 

 and signed, 



The following paper was read : — 



Notes on Irish Diptera. By Dr. Arthur Wtnne Foot. 



During the past year I commenced to add insects of the Dipterous order 

 to my collection, and found the observation of these insects a source of 

 much profit and recreation. I have not been able to do much more 

 than obtain most of the commoner Diptera which usually fall to the lot 

 of a first year's man, but with these ordinary insects I have also taken a 

 few which are not so common. I find that thirty-nine genera and 

 sixty-five species will include my captures. In apology for not having 

 done more in this large order, I am bound to say that my time has been 

 by no means wholly devoted to the two-winged insects, as I took of Hy- 

 menoptera thirty-two genera, including sixty-four species, besides many 

 macro and micro Lepidoptera, and a few JSeuroptera. 



It seems to me that the study of the Diptera offers many attractions 

 for these reasons — their numbers and variety are immense ; they are 

 freely and widely distributed; they are among the earliest and latest of 

 our insects in their appearance ; they are, in Ireland at least, but imper- 

 fectly known ; they are easily killed, being very susceptible to chloro- 

 form; they are not difficult to set (at least as compared with Hy- 

 menoptera); and they relax with facility. Almost all, I may say, that is 

 known of the Irish Diptera is the result of the labours of the late Mr. 

 Haliday. I gladly availed myself of the kind offer of Mr. Verrall, of 

 London, to name the flies I took, and I may be allowed to make a few 

 remarks on some of these. I do not intend to read the list of genera 

 and species. 



Eristalis rupium is rare. Caught in all eight species of this genus. 

 There are thirteen given by Walker, in "Diptera Britannica." 



Chilosea cestracea, smaller and brighter than English specimens; 

 while English specimens are smaller and brighter than Continental ones. 



Syrphus pyrastri, a dipteron generally distributed ; Mr. Verrall 

 observed he had hardly ever seen a specimen so dark as mine. I also 

 have dark varieties of Eristalis intricarius. 



Syrphus grossularice, rare, and, Mr. Verrall thinks, not hitherto re- 

 corded from Ireland. I took it 15th July, 1870, in Woodstock Glen, 



