112 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [ April, 1906. 
would thus be rapidly conveyed to a more favourable environment. 
In the tanks it is far commoner to find young, four-rayed Polyps 
on Paludina than individuals with five or six rays ; but the adults 
of the species are far less prone to change their position than are 
the young. 
Hydra orientalis, especially during spring, exhibits a distinct 
tendency to frequent the neighbourhood of Sponges and Polyzoa, 
‘such as Spongilla carteri and the denser varieties of Plumatella . 
repens. Possibly this is owing to the shade these organisms provide. 
ENEMIES. 
A Chironomid Larva which feeds on Hydra orientalis. 
The insect dealt with in the present note is common in the’ 
‘Calcutta tanks in the months of November, December, January, 
n many respects the life-history of this Indian species i 
very similar to that of the English forms described by Miall.! The 
mm. 
d — 
Serve as a means of concealment. Embryonic development 18” 
wee : 
. At first 
probably from its food le-pink : as ‘ tout” 
Jength é about 6 mm, a pale-pink or greenish tinge. Its grea ° 
segments of the ‘same part of the body are large. The pupa clings 
to submerged objects with their aid’; but if they be detached: from’ 
such objects, it can still remain fixed by means: of the bristles and: 
plates on its’ tail. : 
The adult'is a typical little Midge with a pale-green “body and" 
n + fg “ 
thorax. In the male the latter is without markings, but in the aia 
< 
Ps 
male it bears longitudinal bars similatein extent and: arrangement” 
e hi 
to those’ which “characterize Chironomus’ cubioulorum® It 38 
Nat. Hist. Aquatic Insects, p. 122 
t. Hist. Aq Pai 
2 Very little is known of th y hin ORitond ‘or Midges.* In van det 
Walp'e Catalogue of the Decor t, e Indian Chironomid bf a Ene getitie” 
ed’ Diptera from Sotithern Asia (1 
> 
: + Sabi Soke 
