THE PRACTICAL NATURALIST. 
7 
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Science than he would by working any other order. About 
3-50 species are recorded in the British list, several hundred 
of which are placed in the list as doubtful and require veri¬ 
fication, as in some instances the types have been lost. 
The apparatus of the Dipterist is very simple and inexpensive, 
the chief articles required being a net, the same as is used by 
Lepidopterists ; a cyanide bottle for killing—some collectors 
use ammonia which is equally effective ; a few small setting 
boards, which can be purchased from any dealer in Entomo¬ 
logical apparatus for a few pence each, the most useful sizes 
being one inch and one and a half inches ; also a supply of 
Entomological pins, and lastly a few store boxes or a cabinet, 
according to the fancy or “ cash ” of the collector. Some 
Dipterists mount their specimens on cards in the same way as 
Coleoptra are mounted, by using the transparent gum fragacanth 
but there is a great disadvantage in this method, as many species 
can only be determined by examining the underside of the head 
and thorax and this would necessitate their removal from the 
cards, which in the case of delicately formed species would 
probably spoil them. Many Continental collectors do not set 
their Diptera at all but simply pin them and leave them unset. 
Diptera may be found almost everywhere ; many species are 
attracted by various flowers, especially hawthorn blossom, 
thistles and various umbelliferous plants which are so common 
in lanes, woods, &c., many of these are large and conpicuous 
species of Syrphidoe , Conopidce , Tachinidoe , Muscidoe , &c. Several 
species of Muscidoe , &c. are attracted by decaying vegetable 
matter, among these are many species of the common “ blue¬ 
bottle ” flies. Everyone is well acquainted with the Tipulidoe , . 
Limnophilinoe , and allied families which are popularly known as 
“ daddy-long-legs,” although it is not so generally known that 
there are over 200 species of these occurring in Britain ; they 
are most frequently found in damp places in woods, on the 
banks of streams, &c. Many species of Diptera may be obtained 
by sweeping the long grass in meadows and on sunny banks, 
&c. In fact there are few localities where an enthusiastic 
student may not be able to add to his collection and he may be 
certain to obtain several “ rarities ” his first season, and possibly 
an addition to the British fauna. I shall be pleased to give any 
information in my power to students of this group (through 
the Editor of this journal), or refer them to some of. the leading 
authorities on the subject. 
Specimen copies for distribution will be sent post free to any 
reader on application. 
