JOURNAL OP THE PROCEEDINGS 



, or THE 



LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



Description of a curious Form of Dipterous Larva. By E. Hart 



Vinen, Esq., M.D., F.L.S. 



[Eead Feb. 21, 1861.] 



In the early part of the year 1855, while examining with the 

 microscope some water taken from a pool near my house at Bays- 

 water, I noticed some small animals moving about with an active 

 wriggling motion, which, as I believe them to be peculiar, I ven- 

 ture to introduce to the notice of the Society. They were very 

 few in number, and I mounted some specimens in Canada balsam 

 for future observation. 



My first casual examination gave me the idea that they were 

 mere larval conditions of some insect ; a belief which was strength- 

 ened by the most prominent feature of the animal — a beautiful 

 tuft of hairs (possibly respiratory organs) at the tail — and under 

 this impression they were put aside with some other objects, but 

 in consequence of more pressing occupation were for a long time 

 neglected. 



I have since consulted several entomologists, and finding their 

 opinions to coincide with my own, I have thought it might be useful 

 to give the following description : — 



Body composed of thirteen segments, the four anterior compara- 

 tively short ; cephalic joint narrow, truncated in front ; eye- spots 



LINN. PROC. — ZOOLOGY. 1 



