D4 The Cane Grubs of Australia. 
in the intestines of white grubs (North Avherican). These 
parasites must be ingested with soil containing the excrement 
of swine probably, or by direct ingestion of the excrement. 
If the ingestion of the soil by these grubs was purely acci- 
dental and of small amount, it is most hkely that the parasite 
would be unable to survive, yet they are abundant. It is 
most likely, then, that they must be habitual soil-swallowers. 
The following experiment shows that -egetable fuod is necessary 
for continued development of the larva albohirta:—On February 2, 
sixteen recently hatched larve were placed into each of two flower-pots 
containing sifted voleanic soil, one barren, the other planted to corn. 
The larve had been selected at random. <A month later, the pots were 
dumped and the earth examined, resulting in finding two larve in the 
barren pot and twelve in that containing corn; of the latter four had so 
grown as to have moited into Stage II., while the other eight were in 
cells, preparatory to molting. On April 14, in the fed lot, molting into 
Stage III. had commenced. Of the larvee in the barren pot, one was 
accidentally killed while the other was discarded. The experiment was 
repeated with similar results. 
The following experiment was performed with paris green, mixed 
with the soil in one pot in about the proportion of one to twenty :—On 
January 29, three larve were placed into each of these receptacles, two 
similar flower-pots, one with sifted volcanic soil, the other with similar 
soil mixed with paris green and an empty glass. By February 2, 
examinations showed that the larve in the soil (the control) were 
nermal, those in the poisoned soil dead, those in the glass showing 
evicent symptoms of starvation (commencing to shrivel). Experiment 
repeated with the two pots, and on February 9 the same results were 
noted. Repeated with same results on February 14. The control larve 
were the same individuals throughout. 
BEHAVIOUR OF THE LARVA IN CONFINEMENT. 
In rearing this species, use was made of ordinary wooden boxes 
filled with sifted soil and planted to corn. After the cage was prepared, 
the larvez were simply placed upon the surface of its soil and allowed to 
enter of their own accord. Usually, those not entering were discarded. 
In many eases, holes were punched into the soil to give them a good 
start. After once under, they were never seen again (or very rarely ). 
No delay occurred in entering. They thus appear to be out of their 
element on the soil surface, and light appears unpleasant to them (or 
else the lack of contact on all sides of their body). The corn in the cages 
was renewed about every three weeks and the soil was kept moist by 
sprinkling from above. In bringing specimens in from the field, tin 
boxes were used full of the native soil. Wooden boxes sunk into the 
