150 D-zii'I/crs of the Sea and Shore 



however, our immobile vigilance Is rewarded: the top 

 of a flat, hideous head appears at the entrance of a 

 burrow. It is hard to say which is the more striking 

 about this glossy black countenance suddenly thrust into 

 view, the formidable sicklelike jaws or the fixed pair 

 of double-orbed eyes that glisten like tiny jet beads. 

 These latter organs are so arranged that one part of 

 the pair Is pointed to the front and the other part to 

 the rear, thus enabling the larva to see in all directions 

 without moving its head. A few short bristles shine 

 about the eyes and fringe the outlines of the face, 

 enhancing the savage aspect of the larva. More than 

 this is not observable at present. The creature remains 

 within Its shaft with Its head blocking the entrance com- 

 pletely and in such a manner that It Is on a level with 

 the ledge. Indeed, as it now presents itself, it is not 

 difficult to detect; but those stubby hairs are worn for 

 no Idle purpose, and I have seen them more often than 

 not so encumbered with adhering grains of sand or 

 other particles that to novice eyes the animal would 

 readily pass as part of the surrounding soil. In this 

 position it awaits Its prey with a patience that would 

 far outlast our own, did not chance bring an abrupt 

 and early close to the monotonous affair. 



A young isopod {I do tea metalliea) about the size of 

 an apple seed makes its way over the sand. On what 

 business It is bent and where Its destination may be Is 

 not clear, but its course lies almost directly over the 

 larva's lair. The little crustacean does not differ 

 greatly from Its land relative, the common "sow bug" 

 found under damp, decaying wood or under stones and 

 in other dark, moist places, except that It Is longer and 



