21 



of the American Museum of Natural History, Sept, 21, 1893. Pro- 

 bably a search in the woods of St. Ann's would reveal that it is not 

 uncommon. Mr. Chapman records it as living beneath the roots of 

 trees and stumps, and he obtained some eight or ten specimens 

 of various ages. 



3.— The "Mosquito Worm."*'- 



*o^ 



It is commonly, though erroneously supposed by some that the 

 " Mosquito Worm" is deposited by what is called the large Mosquito 

 (probably a Tipida or " Daddy long legs") which is common in some 

 districts. 



I have in my possession a specimen of Tipxda, which was brought 

 to me by a gentleman from Cedros, as the veritable parent of the 

 Mosquito Worm ; but we have ample evidence that this insect has 

 nothing in common with it ; and has larva of an entirely different 

 character. 



On the loth October a small Rat, the Loncheres Guian(e of 

 Thomas, was cauQ;ht in one of the Garden trees. In the side of the 

 body of this animal and jvist over the hip bone was seen one of the 

 well-known Mosquito worms. I say ' well-known,' for the larva stage 

 is common, but no one appears to have followed the life history of the 

 organism so far as to have been able to obtain the determination 

 of the mature insect until the present experiment. 



The Rat was kept in a cage under close observation, and on the 

 morning of the 22nd October, or nine days after being caught, the 

 larva of the insect was seen to have left the animal. A search in 

 the cage brought to light the pupa of the insect esconced in a snug 

 corner. This measured l^ inches in length by f ths of an inch in 

 breadth at its Avidest part, and narrows towards each end, the anterior 

 being the smaller, the head being distinguished by the occurrence of 

 two distinct small yellow spots. The body has nine segments, and is 

 encased in a hard and horny imbricated scaly covering — brownish 

 black in color. In form the pupa may be likened to that of the 

 common house fly, but very much larger in size. 



The Chrysalis was kept in damp earth and on December 3rd or 

 42 days after leaving its host, the Imago left the coccoon, proved to be 

 a large two-winged fly, having characters common to the CEstrida?, a 

 well known family, parasitic on animals. 



The specimens have been sent to an authority on this section of 

 Natural History for determination, and we hope in a future issue to 



* See Circular Note, December 3. 



