THE RAT-TAILED MAGGOT. 



385 



The right-hand figure of the illustration represents tne diver 

 examining part of a sunken vessel. The tube through which he 

 breathes is seen passing to the surface of the water, and so is 

 the line by which he gives his signals to his comrades above. 

 In his hand he holds a lamp which can burn for a limited time, 

 being connected by a smaller but similarly constructed tube to 



a vessel of compressed air. 



>. 



ON the left hand of the same illustration are shown the 

 curious Rat- tail Maggots, as they are popularly called. They 



BAT-TAILED MAGGOTS- 



DIVER WITH AIB-TUBE. 



are the larvae of the common Drone-fly (Eristalis tenax), which 

 is so common towards the end of summer, and looks so curiously 

 like a bee. 



These creatures pass their larval life buried in the mud and 

 below the surface of the water, and yet are obliged to breathe 

 atmospheric air. This they do by means of the long appendages 

 which have gained for them the name of Rat- tails. These 

 "tails" are very elastic, and are capable of elongation and con- 

 traction to a wonderful extent. 



When the creature is undisturbed, it lies buried in the mu<? 

 with its head downwards, and its tail extended so that it 

 reaches the surface of the water. Within this tail are two air 

 tubes, which are connected with the principal tracheae, whic]f 



c c 



