Excerpt from Manual of North American Diptera Twenty-four years ago the writer began the publication, in the Bulletin of the Brooklyn Entomological Society, of a series of synoptic papers on the families and genera of North American Diptera. Previous to that time but seven of the sixty odd families had thus been rendered accessible to the American student in the works of Loew and Osten Sac ken. In 1888 these synopses were revised and published, with others, in a pamphlet of 88 pages entitled 'Synopsis of the Families and Genera of North American Diptera, exclusive of the Nematocera and Muscidse.' It contained tabular definitions of about three hundred and fifty genera, all at that time known from the United States in the families treated. In the succeeding eight years the writer's acquaintance, especially with the southern forms, had been so widened that he attempted a similar review of all the North and Middle American genera, aided by Professor Aldrich in the Dolichopodida: and Mr. Snow in the Ortalidae. Regretfully the very large and almost chaotic families Dexiidse and Tachinidse were not included. Eight hundred and twenty-six genera were defined in this 'second edition' more or less accurately, very nearly all of which, save those of the Dolichopodidce, had been studied by the writer in its preparation. The continued use of this work, both in America and abroad, has been very gratifying to the author, a use that has made him the more desirous that a better and more complete edition should be prepared, one that would be of greater service to the amateur, whose interests have been paramount. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

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This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Excerpt from Synopsis of the Families and Genera of North American Diptera, Exclusive of the Genera of the Nematocera and Muscidae: With Bibliography and New Species, 1878-88 The writer has, during the past five years, published in different periodicals various synoptic tables of the families and genera of North American Diptera. The intention was, at first, to reprint these with revisions, that they might be more accessible to those interested in this order of insects. In order to make, it is trusted, the tables of more service, those of other families have been added, either as compiled or reproduced from standard authorities, or prepared from the examination of specimens in the author's collection. It will be understood, however, that, in not a few families, the present condition of American dipterology does not admit of the preparation of synopses free from error; the writer's acquaintance, too, with not a few families, has been less complete than with others, and it is very true that only he who has made a critical study of abundant material is competent to compile such tables with much success. For this reason, the tables of genera in the Nematocerous and Muscid families have been omitted. It may be mentioned that very nearly all the genera defined in the present work have been examined by the writer, though not all with the same degree of critical study. The faunal limits embraced are those north of Mexico; and whenever extralimital forms are introduced they will be found preceded by a. The student will soon learn that the characters of many flies are not so simple and apparent as a mere synoptic table would indicate them to be. He will often be puzzled at the interpretation of characters, even after he has acquired a considerable experience. Furthermore, it is often necessary to study any author a considerable time before he becomes thoroughly familiar with his peculiarities of style and modes of expression; he must become, one may say, familiar with the personal equation of each writer before he can feel confidence in the results obtained from him. It is precisely those authors who reduce that personal equation to the minimum who are most successful as describers. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."