The Crioceres 



beneath a layer of ordure. It goes through 

 Hfe naked and always perfectly clean. 



It is of a bright greenish yellow, fairly fat 

 behind and thinner in front. Its principal 

 organ of locomotion is the end of the in- 

 testine, which protrudes, curves like a flexi- 

 ble finger, clasps the twig and supports the 

 creature while pushing it forward. The true 

 legs, which are short and placed too far in 

 front with regard to the length of the body, 

 would find it very difficult by themselves to 

 drag the heavy mass that comes after. 

 Their assistant, the anal finger, is remark- 

 ably strong. With no support, the larva 

 turns over, head downwards, and remains 

 suspended when shifting from one sprig to 

 another. This Jack-in-the-bowl is a rope- 

 dancer, a consummate acrobat, performing 

 its evolutions amid the slender sprigs with- 

 out fear of a fall. 



Its attitude in repose is curious. The 

 heavy stern rests on the two hind-legs and 

 especially on the crooked finger, the end of 

 the intestine. The fore-part is lifted in a 

 graceful curve, the little black head is raised 

 and the creature looks rather like the 

 crouching Sphinx of antiquity. This pose is 

 common at times of slumber and blissful di- 

 gestion in the sun. 



419 



