1880.] 19 



the heavings of the breast, uutil within twenty-five minutes of the event expected, when 

 suddenly most violent writhings and rapid twistings ensued for the space of two or 

 three minutes, and then the slower measured movements were resumed ; the skin 

 enveloping the head became glistening and throbbed in parts with a slight inflation, 

 in accord with the general heaving action of the larva ; presently a series of very violent 

 struggles occurred with the anterior legs extended laterally ; these efforts proved 

 effectual, for then at 11.35 p.m. the expected moment came, when the skin suddenly 

 burst all round the throat, as it seemed then to be, close to the old head-piece. 



Immediately there appeared a transverse yawning rent, exposing the whitish 

 head and tender glistening bases of the short first pair of legs, held back at the 

 moment by their sheathing of old skin, which drew quickly from off them, when 

 they fell forward in their natural position ; the same measured heaving to and fro 

 movement continuing with incessant energy as the old skin (rapidly blackening) drew 

 back and next exposed the basal joints of the second or longest pair of legs, whose 

 long femurs were soon uncovered, yet before their tibia? were freed the third pair of 

 legs being a little shorter and of unequal lengths, were drawn out from their 

 sheathing and slipped forward, first one, the shorter of the two, then the other, and 

 next were liberated the tibia? and tarsi of the long second pair, all playing im- 

 mediately after in unison with the whole body which now unbending sustained its 

 hold of the twig by one ventral leg only of the fourth or hind pair, and while the 

 old skin glided backwards by degrees the other ventral legs were in turn slowly 

 stepping out as it were of their old stockings, at this time the long front crustacean- 

 like legs began impatiently to play about and push at the old head-piece as cleverly 

 as arms and hands, to weaken the attachment and free the mouth parts, and from 

 them the old helmet fell away just as the second pair of ventral legs were uncovered. 



Meanwhile the hinder segments of the body had become drawn out straight and 

 narrowly cylindrical though tapering, the caudal filaments drawn close together 

 forming apparently but one projecting point which now with the hinder portions of 

 the body became elevated almost perpendicularly, as the fore parts with the head 

 and anterior legs were lowered in contact with the mouth of the bottle, evidently 

 feeling for the leaf which had been previously cut away as before mentioned, the 

 third pair of ventral legs were next uncovered and then one of the fourth pair, when 

 as the moment approached for the only supporting leg to let go its tenacious hold of 

 the twig, I instantly held a silk handkerchief round the neck of the bottle just as 

 the leg was removed and the old skin drawn back from it, and then the larva lay 

 sprawling and trembling on the mouth of the bottle as the shrivelling skin drew off 

 from the eleventh segment, and after a few efforts to hold itself on the bottle slipped 

 off upon the soft surrounding material, whereon for two minutes it remained 

 perfectly still, and made the first pause from incessant motion established so long ; 

 refreshed with this it then turned partly round and vigorously thrust and pushed 

 with its mouth and arm-like legs at the old collapsed skin on the twelfth segment 

 which soon became freed excepting the caudal filaments hidden within the retreating 

 skin : now it lay at full length with the hinder segments slightly turned aside, all 

 the ventral legs sprawling, the anterior ones extended forward in freedom, motionless, 

 sleeping apparently for fourteen minutes, and then vibrated the front legs a little, 

 slowly turning the head round, threw out the longest pair of arm-like legs beyond 

 the head, one bent partly over the other like a tired out athlete enjoying repose ill 



