88 THE EARLY STAGES OF TABANIDiE 



riorly, the lateral edges of the dorsal areas therefore parallel behind the middle 

 of the segment, as seen from above; lateral stripes of abdomen, especially the 

 intermediate ones, more or less abbreviated and broken up posteriorly except on 

 the segment next the last. In these stripes the punctures of the upper and 

 lower rows are indicated by rounded pale dots, and those of the inner rows by 

 elongate dots. Last segment with broad dark annuli about base of respiratory 

 tube and around anal prominence, with lateral connections; also more or less 

 invaded above by the basal annulus, often leaving there only a pair of pale spots 

 posteriorly. Often a dark spot in the anterior angles of the ventral space on the 

 seventh abdominal, and one behind the anal dark ring." 



"False feet moderately elevated, with coarse whitish pubescence more or less 

 tipped with fuscous or with brownish in younger larvae, dorsal pair narrowly con- 

 nected over median line. Main internal tracheje usually subparallel, sinuated, 

 not very conspicuous, although easily traceable. Stigmatal spine rarely visible." 



A few larvag have been obtained by Hart, which are Kke atratus 

 except in one particular — the surface of the body, especially of the 

 anterior abdominal segments, shows a fine undulate wrinkHng re- 

 sembling the sculpture of the pupa, but smoother. As the specimens 

 showing this appearance were shrunken and in bad condition, it is 

 surmised that it is an effect of letting the alcohol get too weak and 

 then changing to strong alcohol. 



Hine has taken the larvae while digging in the ground in the vicinity 

 of ponds, from under stones on ditch banks, from the water with 

 dip-nets, and occasionally in most unexpected places. He says, 

 however : 



''If one is looking for them he is likely to meet with more or less disappoint- 

 ment, as the finding of one specimen does not indicate necessarily that others 

 may be taken under the same conditions. The fact that specimens have been 

 taken from floating logs and debris suggests that they may be transported for 

 longer or shorter distances in this way, and during high water be stranded upon 

 ground which, when the flood subsides, is high and dry and far removed from the 

 bed of the stream. Since the species in all its habits is closely associated with 

 water and wet ground, this seems to be the only way of explaining the appear- 

 ance of larvae in dry soil and in places remote from where the eggs are laid." 



nine's description of the larva follows, being in many ways more 

 brief and accurate than that of Walsh given previously. 



"Full grown larva nearly 2 inches in length. General color yellowish white, 

 with wide dark brown bands at the union of each two segments. Prothoracic 

 segment on each side with two lateral grooves, which do not quite reach the 



