62 THE EARLY STAGES OF TABANID^ 



were found under stones covering the opening of mouse burrows. 

 The color in life was gray. The general color of the preserved 

 specimens was dark brown, the head black. The total length, when 

 the head was retracted, is given as 17 mm., the greatest diameter 

 7.5 mm. With the head fully drawn out the larva measures 21 mm. 

 For the details McAtee's description is quoted: 



"Head convex above, flattened beneath, its lower lateral edge a well marked 

 ridge made by the stretching of the skin over the prolonged basal supports of 

 mouth parts. Anterior part of head marked oflf from posterior part by a band of 

 very thin wrinkled skin; anterior fold of this band beginning dorsally just in front 

 of two large lateral smooth areas containing the indefinite bluish white eye spots; 

 fold descending obHquely over side of the head, ending ventrally between bases 

 of maxillae. Anterior part of head and areas surrounding eye spots, with glassy 

 surface, remainder covered with thin wrinkled skin.' 



McAtee describes the mouth-parts in detail (Plate 7, Fig. 95, a, h) 



"Epistoma and labrum {Ibr) forming a thin lance-like projection between 

 upper parts of oral apparatus. Upper edge of labrum grooved from opposite 

 middle of antennal flap {anf.) to base of the mandibles {md.) ; provided with an 

 unequally two-lobed caruncle just back of the upturned tip {Ibr.). Higher lobe 

 of caruncle and tip of labrum each bearing a solitary anteriorly directed seta 

 [see Fig. 95, a]. Lower edge of labrum applied to labium {lb.)\ latter flat; thin 

 lateral strips diverging from a distinct ramus behind being chitinized, the 

 remainder flexible. Labium ending in a pair of rounded conical fleshy lips; 

 flexible portions closely set with short yellow hairs." 



"Mandibles black, claw-like, blunt, sheathed at base by lobes of maxillae {mx.). 

 The latter thin, flexible, following the curve of the mandibles; their slightly 

 forward curved tips surpassing mandibles; their lower edge and inner side pro- 

 vided with numerous yellow hairs." 



"Palpi (mxp.) arising from external basal flaps of maxillae. First palpal joint 

 inwardly and downwardly curved, second setiform, slightly curved downward 

 and overlapping mandible." 



"Arising in the arch between epistoma and side of the head is a flap (anf.) 

 which seems to be part of the antennal apparatus. It follows edge of epistoma 

 nearly to base of mandibles, and curving down is attached to the posterior third 

 of first antennal joint. From this point clear around the curve to where it paral- 

 lels the epistoma the flap is fringed with long yellow hairs. First joint of antenna 

 (ani.) slightly incurved (thus being directed outward), nearly three times as long 

 as the two terminal joints together. Second joint conical, tapering gradually, 

 directed forward and downward; third setiform and directed downward." 



