TIPULA. TIPULA. 
Generic Character, 
Os capitis elongati maxilla 
superiore fornicata. 
Palpi duo recurvi, capite 
longiores. 
Proboscis recurvata, brevis- 
sima. 
Mouth arched over by the 
upper jaw extended from 
the head. 
Palpi two recurved, longer 
than the head. 
Proboscis recurved, very 
short. 
The larger kinds of Tipulae are, in general, 
distinguished by their lengthened bodies, hori- 
zontally expanded wings, and the unusual length 
and slenderness of their legs, which are also re- 
markably fragile; it being difficult to handle the 
insect without breaking some of its limbs. The 
smaller kinds have incumbent wings, and in habit 
or general appearance are much allied to Gnats, 
and some are so very small as scarcely to exceed 
the tenth of an inch in length. The larvte of this 
genus differ in habit, according to their different 
modes of life, some being terrestrial, and others 
aquatic: they feed on the softer kind of vegetable 
substances, as the fine fibres of roots, &c. &c. 
The largest of the European Tipulae is the 
Tipula rivosa of Linnasus, often measuring more 
than an inch and half in body, and is distin- 
