BY R. J. TILLYARD. 375 



hairy in front, antennae with seven joints approximately equal; 

 all tibiae with a few long hairs. Caudal gills distinctly triquetral, 

 strong, transparent, very hairy. 



I then introduced some animalcula into the watch-glass, and 

 was fortunate in seeing the little larva feed. On the approach 

 of a rotifer, the larva sat up in a pugnacious attitude, suddenly 

 darted forward, seized the rotifer in its labium with a stroke as 

 quick as lightning, and then shook and worried it from side to 

 side with tremendous energy. The labium is very large for the 

 size of the insect, and exceedingly powerful. After worrying its 

 prey for a full rainute or more, the larva retracted its labium, 

 and appeared to hold the rotifer in it quite easily when closed, 

 while it made its meal. I had further opportunities of watching 

 these small larvre feed when more fully grown, and in every case 

 they seized their food in a most active manner, using their 

 powerful legs to spring forward and asisst the labium to reach its 

 prey. 



On December 19th, 1908, prior to leaving Sydney for a few 

 weeks, I emptied the Petri dish, containing about a dozen small 

 I irvae, into a large cylindrical jar in which water-weed was grow- 

 iag, and having a clean shell-grit bottom. I then introduced a 

 supply of infusoria sufficient to last until my return, and arranged 

 to have the water kept up to a certain level, evaporation being 

 very rapid in the hot summer months. 



On my return, on January 27th, 1909, 1 immediately examined 

 the jar. Apparently there was only one larva living, a robust 

 fellow, skulking at the base of a twig, and so shy that, whenever 

 I approached, he moved rapidly round to the other side of the 

 twig, like an iguana. Length about 6 mm. over all; colour pale 

 ditty white, touched with brown. It is difficult to say whether 

 another ecdysis had taken place or not. About February 1st, the 

 larva forsook its position on the twig, and hid itself under a 

 large shell, where it remained for a week. On February 9th, 1 

 noticed a fine floating skin, showing that an ecdysis had taken 

 place. Meanwhile the larva had returned to its position at the 

 base of the twig, and appeared to be very alert and feeding well. 



