n6 The Under-Water World 



(Corethra) that has a very interesting 

 larva. Known as the " Phantom Larva," 

 this species well justifies its name by 

 being of glass-like transparency. It re- 

 sembles in some respects the mosquito 

 larva, but has no specialised breathing 

 organs. Darting with great rapidity 

 through the water, it seems to vanish and 

 reappear in a decidedly phantom-like 

 manner. It is carnivorous and catches 

 various minute creatures. 



In the mud at the bottom of small 

 ponds are to be found red worm-like 

 creatures. These so - called " Blood- 

 Worms " are the larvae of another gnat 

 (Chironomus) . Sometimes these blood- 

 worms leave the mud and crawl about 

 quite actively. This gnat lays its eggs 

 in a mass of jelly which is usually 

 attached to a stone or leaf. 



The larva of the Chameleon Fly 

 (Stratiomys) is another water dweller. It 

 is very unlike any of the foregoing 



