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C. H. TURNER. 



exposed. This is the case when it is removing an obstacle from 

 its pit. 



Since this larva burrows downward into the earth, it may be 

 considered positively geo tactic; but, it must be remembered that 

 it does not always pass downward. When disturbed in its pit, 

 it usually backs upward, just beneath the surface, until the rim 

 is reached; sometimes, it continues onward, in a horizontal 

 direction, beneath the surface. MacLachlan (n) observed that, 

 at night, they frequently make perigrinations over the surface 

 of the ground. Then, too, they sometimes ascend vertical 

 surfaces. 



When placed on a horizontal surface [I used sheets of brass, 



Ant-lion pit in one of my tumblers. 



glass, wood, and cardboard], the larva backs away from the 

 light. If placed with the tip of its abdomen toward the source 

 of light, usually, it will move a short distance toward the light 

 then turn, to either the right or the left, and back away in a 

 straight line. This, coupled with the fact that, when placed on 

 its back, the ant-lion invariably rights itself by turning away from 

 the source of light, induces the conclusion that this creature is 

 negatively phototactic; but, it must be remembered that in 



