COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF DIPTERA. 295 
Regarding the food of the Dinorms, and with such a number of 
species, many would have a natural preterence for certain food, 
as shown by the bones of distinct species being found far removed 
from each other. With a more humid atmosphere and more 
luxuriant vegetation, known to have prevailed in former times, 
there can be no doubt that nearly the whole vegetation, from the 
sea-shore to the wooded spurs of the lower ranges, contributed to- 
wards the food supply of the moas. It may be mentioned that the 
district around the Tengawai Gorge is particularly rich in native 
vegetation. Thespurs are clothed with Vevomcas and Celmisias up to 
2000 feet. The limestone range is overgrown with the Anthericum 
hookeri. No better food plant could have existed. The succulent 
leaves and flower-stalks would provide food for adults and young 
during the summer and autumn months; if the birds were 
“sluggish diggers of the ground” the tubers of this plant would 
form substantial food during winter. The Moa hunters were more 
favoured by nature in this district with a supply ot food than in 
most places where their camping grounds are found, there being 
an abundance of ‘‘ Maori onion,” fern-root, and birds, together 
with caves to dwell in. 
W Wil. 
SeELECTION AND PRESERVATION OF DIPTERA. 
SS 
BY SAMUEL WENDELL WILLISTON, NEWHAVEN, CONN. 
<> 
(From ‘‘ Psyche,” January, 1884), 
From dearly-purchased experience I have learned the neces- 
sity of care in the collection and preservation of etomological 
specimens, and it may be that a few hints will be of service to the 
collectors of diptera and similar insects. 
For collecting I use a cyanide-bottle, which, although objected 
to by European dipterologists, I have found the best and most con- 
venient. But I do not mean an ordinary cyanide-bottle, for speci- 
mens collected in such are worthless for scientific or other purposes, 
I select several two-ounce [60 c. c.], wide-mouthed bottles of the 
same form, and carefully line the bottom and sides with a good 
quality of blotting-paper. Good firm corks are selected, which 
are interchangeable in the difterent bottles: in one of these corks a 
small hole is made, in which itis better to fit a small metallic 
ferule; a strip of blotting-paper is then coiled within this cavity, 
and it is over this that a few drops of a solution ot cyanide of 
potash is poured. It is useless to collect flies ina bare bottle; 
the insects soon exhale moisture sufficient toruin them. The 
blotting-paper prevents this, and the cork can readily be removed 
from one bottle and put into another when a sufficient quantity of 
flies is collected. Moisture of any kind injures flies. Some flies, such 
as the hairy Bombylude, should always be pinned when caught. 
For this purpose a small, tight, pith-lined box may be carried in 
the pocket, together with a phial of benzine to kill the flies. 
In the earlier part of the season many rare specimens of diptera 
may be obtained by beating. For this purpose I employ a rather 
