NATURAL HISTORY. 15 
CHAPTER II. 
LARVA OF A SPECIES OF SMALL GNAT OR TIPULA, HITHERTO 
UNDESCRIBED. 
THIs creature presents a peculiarity in struc- 
ture, which distinguishes it from any other with 
which I am acquainted. Its singularity con- 
sists in its very distinct division into annuli, 
and in its strong corded appearance, which, to- 
gether with its beautiful star-like tail, small 
dark eyes, perviosity to light, and elegant evolu- 
tions, render it a choice subject for microscopic 
examination. 
These larvee are generally met with, during 
the summer, in ponds and ditches in which 
there is an abundance of healthy vegetation, 
creeping among the stalks of aquatic plants, 
but particularly in clear waters covered with 
duck-weed. 
In collecting them, a quantity of the herbage 
should be taken with a cloth net, or bason, and 
put into a deep vessel of water. In a few 
minutes they will disentangle themselves from 
the plants, and may then be removed to a con- 
