334 The University Science Bulletin. 



United States the larva of the genus Phengodes is known to feed 

 upon myriapods. Here at Los Bafios is a related insect with a sim- 

 ilar prey. I have kept some of the larvae in captivity and fed them 

 living myriapods of at least two species, and have several times seen 

 the beetle larva overcome its large prey. It would grasp the myria- 

 pod by an antenna, and while its victim might struggle violently, 

 the sharp mandibles of the aggressor seemed eventually to pierce the 

 antenna and to discharge through it a quieting fluid. At any rate, 

 the prey is rendered helpless without further biting, and its interior 

 hollowed out by the voracious larva. 



OTHER THAN INSECTS. 



One concerned chiefly with the study of insects cannot, however, 

 fail to secure an interest in other invertebrates, as well as verte- 

 brates, that come to his notice. 



The land leech is one invertebrate with which those who explore 

 the mountain woods in damp weather soon become acquainted. If 

 the leech feeds solely on blood, it must possess great powers of fast- 

 ing. It is a tough, wormlike creature, often adorned with brilliant 

 stripes, and that measures in the neighborhood of an inch in length. 

 It is furnished with an anterior and posterior sucker, by the use of 

 which it travels much after the fashion of certain moth caterpillars 

 known as inch worms or loopers. It is very alert to a footfall, and 

 from some little distance, conscious of the presence of man or beast. 

 Perched on an herb or in the middle of a trail, and raised up on its 

 hind sucker, it is quick to grasp a passing leg with the anterior 

 sucker and climb on. Other leeches in the vicinity may w'ave their 

 head end, or move along in haste in search of this prospective meal. 

 Once aboard, the hungry leech seeks to make a puncture in the 

 skin. This may be a difficult matter in the case of a human being 

 whose legs are well wrapped in cloth puttees, or else very easy if 

 leather leggings or none are concerned. Firmly affixed, it becomes 

 so filled with blood as to present a very rotund and inactive appear- 

 ance, and eventually to drop off. The leech, however, is on the 

 whole much more disgusting than painful, as in fact one may not 

 become aware of its work until it has dropped off, full fed. Like 

 the hobo, the leech does not relish soap, and the barefooted native 

 keeps this in mind and secures partial protection by rubbing it on. 



Most people look upon the crab as a denizen of the sea, or at least 

 as an inhabitant near the seashore. However, rather small-sized 

 crabs inhabit fresh-water streams near Los Banos, and I have found 



