KQ [March, 



cle Poiicerous " (Blatlaus-Lowen, i.e., the larvae of Drejninepterya') . 

 Jiidgiug from the time they took to reach maturity, they were ah'eacly 

 half-growu, and von Gleichen concludes that they pass from egg to 

 pupa in at most 14 da^s,* an observation which agrees with Reaumur's. 

 The head is compared to half an oval, the convex side directed to the 

 body, covered above with two ash-grey horny plates and in front flat 

 and membranous. The long antenna" stand between the small black 

 eyes above the mandibles (oberhalb des Zangengebisses) , and under 

 the latter are the 2-jointed labial palpi (Fressspitzen). The thoracic 

 segments increase in size towards the abdomen, which is flatter 

 than round. The abdomen gradually tapers to the last segment, 

 which is pointed, and which in running is either moved to and fro, or 

 is used in the same way as the terminal abdominal feet (Nachshieber) 

 of caterpillars. The ground colour above is yellow and brownish-red, 

 beneatli straw-yellow. Along the back there is a brown depression in 

 the middle of a white stripe which looks as if dusted with a powder. 

 This depression ends towards the middle of the abdomen. Upon the 

 thoracic segments on each side there is a shallow, elongate depression. 

 The sides of each segment, the last excepted, are beset with raised 

 warts which are probably the spiracles. A figure is given of these 

 warts, and of the scale-like texture of the skin of the back. These 

 larvae give off a strong scent which is compared to that of thyme. 

 They are described as terrible gluttons. When a plant-louse is caught, 

 it is all over with it in half a minute. The empty slough is cast aside 

 and another victim is seized. The author states that 30 and odd 

 plant lice were consumed one after the other without a moment's 

 interruption. The proceeding is thus described : the larva rushes at 

 the nearest louse which he never misses. As soon as the plant-louse is 

 gripped with the mandibles, it is turned round with the aid of the 

 palpi in order to bring it comfortably to the mouth. Then the 

 mandibles and palpi become quite still, the robl)er being busy sucking 

 his prey. The louse is again turned round to another side and the 

 sucking renewed ; this turning and sucking being repeated until 

 nothing remains but an empty skin. The dexterity shown in this 

 process cannot be surpassed, and may be compared to the rapid move- 

 ments of the squirrel when he turns roimd a nut in his paws. 



Reavunur, as quoted by Von Grleichen, in connection with the 

 mouth parts, wrote : — 



Mais ce qui est de plus remarquable, c'est qvie le formicaleo n' a 

 point de bouche oil les autres insectes en ont une : il en a deux <|ui 



* Pi'obably uudercstimated. 



