66 
HOW TO COLLECT 
domestic or otherwise, with a butterfly-net ; but occasionally they can 
be caught with the hand, or boxed. 
" Dead Animals. — Carrion is sometimes very attractive, and many 
rare species not met with elsewhere are to be taken on it. Here 
again the moisture is probably the attraction. A place where blood 
has run over the ground is generally attractive, though, strange to 
say, the wet mud and sand in river-beds, so attractive to butterflies 
in the tropics, has no attraction for Diptera. 
" Other Attractions — Sweeping — Beating. — Other attractions, such 
as leaves, tree trunks, bare sandy places, etc., had perhaps better be 
considered under the head of attractions to families. One method 
of capture should not be omitted, however, and this is sweeping. 
Many species of Acalypterate Muscidm, and also many small 
Syrphidce, which otherwise would probably be entirely overlooked, 
may be taken in this manner. The best places to sweep over are 
damp marshy spots, overgrown with rushes, flags, cotton-grass, etc. 
Beating seldom repays, though Cyrtidce may now and again be 
obtainable by this means only. 
"Habits of Various Families. — Syrphidm (Hover-flies, Drone- 
flies, etc.). — For this family sunshine is absolutely 
essential, and the majority will be found at flower 
heads, in company with many species of Muscidce. 
Some few, however (e.g. Xylota, Cattiprohola, Brachy- 
palpus), prefer leaves and tree trunks; while species 
belonging to certain genera (Pelecocera, Melanostoma, 
etc.) will probably be taken chiefly by sweeping. Many species of 
Syrphus, Eristalis, etc., may be taken hovering in the air. 
"Bombylidm (Humble-Bee-flies, etc.). — - 
The species of the Anthracinse branch of this 
family are generally to be found hovering 
in the hottest sunshine over bare spots on 
heaths, seashores, etc. The Bombylinae, on 
the other hand, affect flowers — e.g. primroses, 
Potentilla, etc. At Aden Bombylius analis 
was found hovering over the flowers of the 
garden turnip run wild, and probably other 
Cruciferse will be found attractive. 
LEUCOZONA LUCORUM. 
BOMBYLIUS DISCOLOR. 
