4 NOTES ON 
CHAPTER I. 
ON THE LARVA OF A SMALL SPECIES OF DYTICUS, POPULARLY 
NAMED THE CROCODILE. 
THE appellation of crocodile to this curious 
larva has arisen from its general resemblance, 
under the microscope, in colour and form to that 
terrific amphibious animal; the sudden springs 
and starts which it makes assimilate it also in 
manners. The scientific name of the family to 
which this aquatic beetle belongs is Dyticide, a 
term derived from their habits; all the species 
in their perfect state being observed to dive or 
plunge imto their watery element when ap- 
proached. 
The eggs from which these larve are pro- 
duced may be found, during the spring and 
summer, adhering to aquatic plants, and to con- 
ferve growing near the surface of the water. 
They are enclosed in a species of bag or cocoon, 
rather smaller than the common pea, of a 
dusky white colour, and are prevented from 
floating away with the current by a slender 
filament, which attaches them to the herbage. 
