70 



CHAPTER IV. 



Fig. 6. 



Fig. 7. 



On the Larva of a Species of British Hydrophilus. 



Hydrophilus caraboides. Auctorum. 



IN examining the peculiarities of the structure and habits 

 of this larva, what most strikingly attracts our attention 

 is its ferocious and savage disposition, and the fitness of 

 its organs for the exercise of its ravenous propensities. 

 It may be safely asserted that no species of larva is 

 known to be provided with weapons of destruction so 

 powerful, so numerous, and so well adapted to their end, 

 as those which this creature possesses. It is on this ac- 

 count that it has been popularly called the WATER DEVIL. 

 Its size is but little inferior to that of the larva of any of 



