86 HTDROCAMPA NYMPHJ1ATA. 



reverse of this occurred ; these irregularities of outline 

 were most noticeable in the smaller case ; the ends of 

 both were free, though appearing to fit close ; the 

 upper piece showing a slight convexity of surface, 

 the lower piece nearly flat, possessing much elasticity 

 at the ends ; the edges of the case were always a little 

 submerged, and only the central convex part of the 

 upper surface would appear above the water while it 

 was floating at the top; when entirely submerged, 

 with the occupant hidden within, it appeared quite 

 flat, like a mere fragment of leaf, due to an optical 

 effect of the water. 



Thinking the larvae appeared mature, I lost no time 

 on the day they arrived in securing figures of them. 

 I pushed the largest out of its case into a saucer of 

 water; it soon ascended the side of the saucer, above 

 the water, so far that only its hinder segment re- 

 mained immersed, and in this position for several 

 minutes it kept still, affording me the opportunity of 

 a good examination. 



I found it to be seven-eighths of an inch in length, 

 stout in proportion, thickest in the middle of the 

 body, and tapering towards each end rather suddenly; 

 the head rather small; the segments decreasing in 

 thickness from the seventh, and again decreasing 

 from the tenth to the anal tip, all well defined by 

 deep, yet close, divisions ; the third and fourth 

 segments with three subdividing wrinkles on the 

 back, the other segments with only one deep wrinkle, 

 the sides dimpled ; the anterior legs tolerably well 

 developed, the ventral and anal legs mere fleshy 

 swellings with a flat process at the extremity fringed 

 with fine books. 



The colour of the head is light olive-brown, the 

 lobes and mouth darker brown ; a pale olive shining 

 plate on the second segment margined both in front 

 and behind by a fine black line, and within it, after 

 an interspace of the pale ground, there is in the 

 middle a transverse fusiform brownish-black mark 



