68 



land. In this larva the gills assume the form of paddle like appendages, and are placed one- 

 pair upon each of the seven front segments of the abdomen, while the spiracles are arranged 

 in the usual manner along the sides of the body. After leaving the water the larva crawls 

 rapidly about, chi.fly in the night time, in search of a safe and suitable place in which to 

 spend the chrysalis stage of its existence, usually selecting the under surface of a flat board 

 or log, or burrowing uadsr some large stone. Before attaining its object it sometimes wan 

 ders as much as a hundred feet from the water's edge, and an instance is given of one which 

 crawled up the wall to the roof of a one-story building, and then tumbled accidentally down 

 the chimney, to the great dismay of the good woman of the house. At this stage of their 

 existence they are sometimes used by fishermen for bait, and having a very tough skin, one 

 larva ol'ten suffices to catch several fish. They can pinch pretty sharply with their strong 

 jaws, and they use the proce.sses at their tail to assist them in climbing. 



After a suitable hiding place has been selected, the larva forms a rude cell in the earth, 



and here changes to an inactive chrysalis (see Fig. 47, b). In this figure the wing cases are 



slightly spread apart from the body to show their shape and structure, whereas in nature 



„■ .p they are closely appressed-to the sides of the body. The larva leaves the water usually 



about the beginning of June, and by the end of that month, or the beginning of 



July, the perfect insect bursts its bonds and appears in the winged state. 



In this form it measures, wheu its wings are spread, from four and a half 

 to five inches ; these, as shown in the figure, are gauze-like and covered with 

 an intricate uetwoik of veins. The forewings are streaked with dark brown and 

 sprinkled with whitish dots, of which latter there are also a few on the hind wings. 

 The male — Fig. 47, e — is remarkable for its enormous jaws, which are very 

 long and hook like, while the female — Fig. 47, d and Fig. 48 — has short jaws. 

 The flies hide themselves in ob.scure holes and corners during the day and become 

 active as the shades of evening gather. They frequently fly into houses situated 

 near running water, soon after dusk, attracted probably by the light. 



The eggs of the Hellgrawite Fly— Fig. 49 — are oval, about the size of a radish 

 seed, and of a pale colour, with some dark markings. They are usually deposited 

 in patches, upon reeds or other aquatic plants overhanging the water, where, when 

 hatched, the young larvae may find ready access to that element which is destined 

 to be its home until the end of the following spring. 



