NOTES. 105 



The larva of the dragonfly is purely aquatic ; it breathes water, 

 and never of its own free will leaves the water until it emerges in 

 preparation for the final change into the winged insect. Under such 

 circumstances it is astonishing that these larvae were able to survive 

 without apparent injury so prolonged an absence from their proper 

 element. On dissection their tracheae were found to be completely 

 filled with air. 



E. E. GREEN. 



8. Capture of a Butterfly by a Hunting Spider. — While I was 

 watchmg a small group of butterflies on a sandbank at Haragama, 

 I was fortunate enough to see the capture of one of them by a large 

 Lycosid spider. 



The spider suddenly rushed out from some leaves, and seizing an 

 outlying member of Huphina remba made for the water. Wishing 

 to secure the specimens I netted them, or it would have been 

 interesting to see whether the spider would actuaUy have taken to 

 the water. On examining the spider later it was found to be a female 

 with a large number of young crowded on the back of its abdomen. 

 The body of the spider measured approximately | of an inch in 

 length. While in captivity it finished its meal, completely dis- 

 membering the butterfly and entirely consuming only the softer parts 

 of the body. 



February, 1908. F. E. WEST. 



9. — Mosquitoes and Eyeflies. — Have entomologists noticed how 

 these pests seem to be getting prevalent at higher and higher 

 elevations ? I remember when there were no mosquitoes at an estate 

 in this neighbourhood about 4,500 feet elevation ; it was pleasant 

 to be able to sleep without a mosquito curtain, now a necessity. 



The eyefly is another pest that seems to be getting worse up-country, 

 and I know of no really effective means of destroying them. I think 

 there must be some particular tree or shrub that brings them, 

 otherwise why is it that they are conspicuous by their absence in 

 some bungalows and swarming in others, even though every atten- 

 tion is paid to clean surroundings in the latter ? 



Perhaps Mr. Green could tlxfow a light on the problem. If he 

 could tell us how to get rid of them, he would earn the gratitude of 

 many. As usual. Nature seems to be moving to the rescue, 

 though somewhat slowly. One sees everywhere now a small green 

 flycatcher, about the size of the " white-eye," a friendly little 

 bird. He will sit on a bough quite close to you and suddenly 



