126 Development within the Larva 



closely resemble the granular spheres [KbrncTienhugeln) 

 of Weismann, and are probably phagocytes gorged with 

 the products of disintegration of larval structures. The 

 eating up of the larval muscles by phagocytes is, however, 

 much less striking than in the blow-fl3^ We have never 



Fig. 95.— Sagittal (nearly median) section through head and prothorax of 

 larva, shortly before pupation, a, antenna of fly. 6, enlarged second joint 

 of ditto, pr, larval prothorax. pj*', pupal prothorax, showing absorption 

 of contents and marked retraction, m, mesothoracic muscles. 



seen in Chironomus larval muscles excavated by pha- 

 gocytes, nor fragments of striped muscle lying inside 

 phagocytes, though both can be demonstrated in the 



Fig. 96. — Developing iniaginal muscles, with central nuclei, enclosed by 

 contractile substance, i, muscles attached to epidermis {ep). 2, transverse 

 section of ditto. 



blow-fly. In Chironomus the disintegration of the 

 larval organs of the thorax is relatively slow, and the 

 muscles, for instance, seem to waste gradually and 

 uniformly, while undergoing for a long time no marked 

 change in external form. 



