IK) OBSERVATIONS ON THK LIFE HISTORY, ETC. 



flexible at the end of the pull, he is bent like a bow ; then the 

 propeller is thrust on the opposite side, and so he advances by a 

 series of zigzag movements. He can move head first, and in a 

 straight line when he likes, but he prefers the jerky method of 

 progression. 



Another proof of the peculiarity of his lordship is that he 

 breathes through his tail. Notwithstanding that he possesses a 

 head, and a large mouth, he actually breathes through his latter 

 end. If you examine his tail, you will find that the lower 

 conical-shaped fork is the end of his breathing tubes. They run 

 one on each side of his body to the head. When he requires to 

 breath, which is every few minutes, he twitches himself up to 

 the top of the water, and shoves the conical end of his tail 

 above the surface. Its end is closed by five triangular flaps 

 which seal it from the water. These neat little valves open out 

 like a star, and the bubble of air enclosed in, or attached to 

 them, keeps the little fellow suspended. His specific gravity is 

 greater than the li(|uid, and he would sink were it not for the 

 pull of the air bubble. So effectual is it, that occasionally I 

 have seen them revolving with great rapidity, the air bubble 

 acting as a pivot, and maintaining them while they spun 

 round and round. Their usual position, however, is hanging 

 head down from the surface while they suck in the air by the 

 tracheal end of the tail. They remain so for several minutes at 

 a time, twirling their head brushes in evident enjoyment. When 

 satisfied, the little flaps fold themselves together, releasing the 

 pull of the air bubble, and he slowly sinks to go off on another 

 marine excursion. A tooth brush is said to be a sign of 

 civilization. If so, then the larva is highly civilized, for he 

 possesses several of these signs, and uses them well too. You 

 cannot see them in the last picture for they lie there in the 

 inside of his mouth. These tooth brushes are thrust in and 

 out of the mouth with such rapidity that they resemble the 

 action of those circular brushes used by hairdressers, which 

 make your hair fly as though a ghost had appeared before you. 

 One ettect is to cause a current of water to rush into the mouth, 

 and food borne along with it is entangled in the hairs of these 

 brushes and swallowed. I have now to show you one of the 

 most interesting slides of the series, that is, the larva in a 

 living state. I have been breeding some of them lately for your 

 special benefit, so that you can be assured of the fact that they 



