Or THE GLOWWORM (lAMPYRIS NOCTILTTCa) . 61 



large as a walnut : the larva struck it repeatedly without killing 

 it. I saw the creature wound the snail at least from thirty to 

 forty times. On the following day the snail was living and able 

 to crawl, but was so much injured that it was unable to balance 

 its shell, and moved along with it tilted on one side. Its progres- 

 sion also was impeded, for it moved very slowly, and kept its feelers 

 depressed, and nearly close to the table over which it was crawling, 

 as if looking out to avoid danger, moving one horn on one side 

 and then the other on the opposite. This was twenty-four hours 

 after it had been injured. I next put a very healthy full-sized 

 larva to attack it. At first the snail did not appear to recognize 

 the danger, and actually crawled over the back of its enemy ; but 

 very soon its danger seemed to become known. It appeared to 

 recognize its foe, and continued to crawl round him in a circle, 

 even when placed in a straight line before the larva, as if to avoid 

 the danger. The larva soon bit it on the head, and the snail drew 

 back, but not into its shell ; a second wound was then made in the 

 foot. On examining the wound with a lens, after each bite, I 

 observed some dark-coloured sanious fluid upon it, such as I have 

 seen flowing from the mouth of the larva. 



From what I have above stated, it will be seen that it is by no 

 means a common occurrence for the larva to allow itself to be 

 drawn by the snail into the shell, since it usually attempts to 

 retain firm hold, by means of its prolegs, of whatever it may be 

 moving over, before striking its prey ; but it is occasionally drawn 

 into the shell when it attacks large individuals. I saw one larva 

 bite a large snail fiercely in the head while the snail was crawling, 

 and as the wounded animal instantly withdrew itself before the 

 glowworm could detach itself, the latter was drawn more than 

 half its length into the snail's shell, and had its head and body 

 compressed by that of the snail. This position, as appeared from 

 the struggles and rotation of the body of the larva in attempting 

 to relieve itself, was by no means agreeable ; and it came forth 

 covered with slime, and apparently not disposed to return very soon 

 to the attack. On another occasion, when the snail, unconscious 

 at first of the presence of its enemy, slowly crawled over it, and 

 covered its whole body with slime, the insect withdrew, and did not 

 return to the attack until it had rid itself of its filthy covering. 



The Voracity oftlie Larva. 



The voracity of the larva of the glowworm is extreme. "When 

 they are only about half-grown, they will attack fiercely any new 



