Iife History of Lonchaea chorea. 317 
They are situated rather dorsally on the terminal segment and 
consist of a comparatively broad, circular, chitinous band enclosing 
a small space in which lie three slits situated almost at right angles 
to each other. The larvae of the Sapromyzids proper are distin- 
guished from those of Lonchaea by the presence on the posterior 
aspect of the last segment, of two 3-segmented tubercles. Between 
these is situated the pair of cylindrical projections bearing the 
spiracles at their extremities. Brauer * describes small wart-shaped 
processes behind the spiracles of the larvae of Lonchaea. The 
palmate funnel-shaped prothoracic stigmata (figs. 1 and 2, pt. sp) 
of a pale yellow colour, are provided with nine circular orifices; but 
the number may vary from seven to ten (Bouché), eight to ten 
(Brauer). 
Farsky gives a very interesting account of the behaviour 
of the larva which he observed attacking the roots of 
diseased sugar-beet previously encroached upon by a 
nematode worm. In fact, it was the investigation of the 
diseased conditions caused by the nematode, which led 
him to detect the presence of the maggot. The eggs are 
laid at the base of the leaf-petiole in small clusters; the 
larva on emerging penetrates the petiole and instinctively 
it seems, following the course of the leaf-traces downwards, 
makes its way into the root, attracted in some curious way 
to the decaying tissue where the nematode has previously 
been at work. How the larva is made aware of the internal 
decay consequent on the presence of the nematode, 
rather puzzling, seeing that no trace of the internal putres- 
cence may be apparent on the periphery of the root. 
The same author carried out a series of experiments 
which go to prove the wonderful vitality of the larva. 
The delightful unconcern and apathy which it showed 
under most trying conditions, would seem to be scarcely 
credible. Taking a larva, he plunged it three times running 
into a watch-glass containing absolute alcohol which was 
then allowed to evaporate; but the unhappy larva success- 
fully faced the ordeal and came through it alive. Having 
recovered uninjured from the hardening effect of this 
unwonted medium, the succeeding attempts to deprive it 
of life seem comparatively trivial. Keeping it in water for 
four hours had no effect, as was amply demonstrated on its 
subsequent removal, by its vigorous movements. Even 
* Brauer, Die Zweifliigler des kaiserlichen Museums zu Wien, 
p: 41, 1883. 
