94 LIFE STORIES OF AUSTRALIAN INSECTS. 



thought to be carnivorous, and the larvae of some 

 species are proven to be so, live in shelters made 

 of groups of tiny stones, sand grains, etc. Sharp 

 says: "They live in fixed abodes; these are less 

 tubular than is the rule with the portable cases, 

 and are formed from pieces of sand and stones 

 spun together and fixed to larger stones under 

 water. Sometimes several larvae live together in 

 loosely compacted structures of this kind, and only 

 form true cases when about to undergo their meta- 

 morphoses. Muller describes a Brazilian species as 

 forming a case in which "the mouth-end has a 

 large, funnel-shaped verandah, covered by a beauti- 

 ful silken net. This larva lives in the rapids of 

 various rivulets, and the entrance to the verandah 

 is invariably directed towards the upper part of the 

 rivulet, so as to intercept any edible material brought 

 down by the water. Other members of the Hydro- 

 psychides form tubes or covered ways of silk, earth 

 and mud attached to stones, and in Avhich they can 

 move about freely. A species of the genus Hydro- 

 psyche has been found by Howard to help itself in 

 the task of procuring food by spreading a net in 

 the water in connection with the mouth of its case. 

 This net is woven in wide meshes with extremely 

 strong silk and supported at the sides and top by 

 bits of twigs and small portions of the stems of 

 water plants. .Small larvae brought down by the 

 current are arrested by this net for the advantage 

 of the larva which lurks in the tube." 



Caddis worms are found in still water, running 

 streams, and in damp mossy situations, according 



