32 
body and the margin of the pupa-case, between which they seem tightly he 
Theleg, ,,,,^.,^,^ 3ide in front, the anterior pair occnpying the cent, 
posxhon, and the mtermediate pair the external. As the insect continues to emer, 
by the vermicular movement of the abdomen, the legs, alternately, are drawn a 
short portxons at a time by contractions at the trochanteric joints, and resemble tl 
alternately movmg rods of some complex pumping apparatus. Their length seer 
to be gamed by expansion during emergence, similarly to the wings. In abo, 
twelve mmutes the tips of the wings are drawn free of the pupa-case and He a 
one over the other behind the insect, a position they never afterwards assume 
they are a httle hmp, but fully expanded. The legs are still tightly stretche 
length. The abdomen is distended into a wide, uniformly cylindrical tube, as larg 
Z\ Tl^ " "'" " *'' '''''' ^"' '^^^^^^^"^ ^-^- *^- t^e whole pup 
Its first three segments are inflated with air, their walls are such dehcate men 
branes as to make one doubt their capacity organically to connect the extremitie 
of the msect; m the transparent posterior of the wall, however, the dorsal ve.se 
can, with a lens, be seen actively pulsating. The next three segments seem equal) 
filmy as regards their walls, but contain a straw-colored fluid, which is in the sam 
cavxty with the air above it. The posterior segments are still in the pupa-case 
The legs contmue to be alternately pulled by their trochanteric Joints and seem t, 
be freed by the continuance of the vermicular movement of the abdomen, whicl 
does not, however, progress any further out of the pupa-case. As the legs slowh 
come out, the knee joints now bend and leave their position close to the body, th. 
antenor legs bend forward, the posterior at first laterally, and finally almost directh 
backwards, the others occupying an intermediate position, the femora being already 
suflBcxently firm to communicate the extracting force to the lower part of the leg". 
m a direction transverse to their length. As they rise simultaneously and ar. 
always at a uniform level, the creature presents a cm-ious umbrella-like aspect th, 
femora projecting like the spokes of a wheel, and the long tibiee and tarsi ben 
downwards and converging to the front of the pupa-case. At the end of twentj 
minutes from the bursting of the pupa, the legs become free, all nearly at the earn' 
time, each as it does so, rising into a somewhat natural position. In a few second. 
more, the animal regards its legs as perfect, and lays hold of the nearest object 
the fluid mentioned above is discharged into the pupa-case, the air above occupying 
Its place, the abdomen partially collapses and easily leaves the pupa, the insect 
crawls to a convenient place of rest, and is able, if distm-bed, to buzz along the 
ground More fluid is afterwards discharged, and the air must be rapidly absorbed,! 
as, at the end of an hour, the abdomen has nearly its mature colour and formn 
and the Tipula is ready for flight.-T. Algernon Chapman, M.D., Abergavenny, 
June, 1869. ^ '^ 
Notes on Curcidionidc^-Poophagus nashtrtii. -This species, though so rare neaj, 
London, is not likely to be scarce where its food-plant is allowed to grow undis- 
turbed. Besides two places within a few miles of my residence in East Kent, II 
have met with it lately near New Quay, on the north coast of Cornwall, where the. 
wator-cress gi-ows luxuriantly in the streams near the sea. CoUectors should treat. 
the cress with some degree of tenderness, for, if injm-ed, it does not always recover^ 
