ceo 



My next work was to see what prevented the escape of the 

 animal from the bladder, and to this end I directed all my atten- 

 tion for several days. The animal that I found most commonly 

 entrapped was a Chironomus larva, about the length of the mos- 

 quito larva, but more slender and of lighter color. I have fre- 

 quently trapped these snake-like larva; and seen them enter the 

 bladders. They seem to be wholly vegetable feeders, and specially 

 to have a liking for the long hairs at the entrance of the bladders. 

 "When a larva is feeding near the entrance it is pretty certain to 

 run its head into the net, whence there is no retreat. A large 

 larva is sometimes three or four hours in being swallowed, the 

 process bringing to mind what I have witnessed when a small 

 snake makes a large frog its victim. 



I worked with this larva for several days, determined, if possible, 

 to see him walk into the trap. 



I put growing stems of the plant in a small dish of water with 

 several larva?, and set it aside. In a few hours thereafter I would 

 find the living larva? imprisoned. This served for another purpose, 

 but not for the object I was aiming at. Forced to give up this 

 plan of seeing the larva; enter the bladder, I now directed my 



had the satisfaction of seeing the modus operandi by which the 



The entrance into the bladder has the appearance of a tunnel- 

 net, always open at the large end, but closed at the other extrem- 

 ity. I find that the net is simply a valve turned in from the mouth 

 of the bladder, with the outer edge surrounded with a dense mass 

 of hairs, which impels the larva forward and prevents the possi- 

 bility of retreat. The little animals seemed to be attracted into, 

 this inviting retreat. They would sometimes dally about the open 

 entrance for a short time, but would sooner or later venture in, 

 and easily open or push apart the closed entrance at the other 



Entomostraca too were (.('ten captured — I)aph?iia, Cyclops and 

 Cypris. These little animals are just visible to the naked eye, but 

 under the microscope are beautiful and interesting objects. The 

 lively little Cypris is encased in a bivalve shell, which it opens at 



tufts of feathery-like filaments. This little animal was quite 



