64 Transactions. — Zoolof/i/. 



the larva requires a lamp to see to eat by, nearly all the New 

 Zealand insects should have lights, as they are chiefly nocturnal. 

 When, however, we reflect that the construction of the bee's 

 comb is always carried on in utter darkness, the light would 

 seem unnecessary for this purpose. If I might be allowed to 

 suggest a use, I think it may often assist the larvse in escaping 

 from enemies, as when disturbed they nearly always gleam very 

 brilliantly for a few seconds, suddenly shutting oii' the light and 

 retreating into the earth. Of the pupa state I am as yet quite 

 ignorant, as the only larva I succeeded in rearing was left undis- 

 turbed during that condition, in order to insure the appearance 

 of the imago. This turns out to be a small gnat, apparently 

 one of the Tipulida, and not differing materially from many of 

 those little long-legged Dipterons so often noticed on window- 

 panes and in similar situations. The specimen, which is the only 

 one I have as yet found, is now on its way Home for identifica- 

 catiou by a systematic dipterist, and will in all probability be 

 found undescribed. 



Note. — Since the above was written, I have been informed by 

 Baron Osten-Sacken, to whom I sent the perfect insect for 

 identification, that it is Trimkra piUipes, the larva of which is 

 well-known and diflerent from the glow-worm. He still agrees, 

 however, that the glow-worm is the larval condition of a gnat 

 (Mi/cetopJiilida;), and certainly not of a Coleopterous insect. — 

 G.'V. H. 



DESCEIPTION OF PLATE VIa. 

 Fig. a. N.Z. Glow-worm ; larva of a small gnat {TipuUdcc). 

 Fig. h. Larva of a Eove Beetle (Stapkylinidcc). 



Art. VI. — Note on a cunous Double Worm. 



By T. W. KiKK (Geological Survey Department). 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 19th January, 1886.] 



Plate VIi3. 



Some tune ago, Mr. W. Marshall informed my father that there 

 were some curious double worms in the Rangitikei, and promised 

 to send him one. This promise he fulfilled a few weeks ago, the 

 specimen now on the table being the one sent. It was placed in 

 my hands for determination. I am not aware of any record of 

 an Annehd of similar appearance. The anterior portion is 

 about 1 inch in length and ^th of an inch in diameter, and pre- 

 sents nothing peculiar so far ; but from the posterior end of this 



