THE INSECT ASSOCIATION OE A LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLEX. 
51 
3. Those species which are aquatic as larvae. The adults frequent and shelter 
among grasses often in large numbers (Table III). 
4. Those species which invade from adjacent wood and ruderal associations, e.g. 
Chortophila brassicae. They have been indicated in the tables ( q.v .). 
The classes are not mutually exclusive, as many species might be equally well 
included in one or other. Primarily, the tables are meant to apply only to the area 
of our investigation, but as a basis of comparison for other similar areas the data 
will prove useful. Where the larval habits are not known it is impossible to 
relegate the species to its proper habitat with any degree of accuracy, but a 
knowledge of allied species will often furnish a clue. 
An interesting case of unorthodox h'abits may be cited of one family of Diptera. 
It is considered by most students of Leptldae that the larvae are predaceous. Whilst 
this may undoubtedly be the case, the author had convincing evidence that this 
statement cannot be considered absolute. Almost mature larvae of L. scolopacea 
and L. tringaria (Table I) were found well buried in decaying, pulpy (seed) tubers. 
They seemed suspiciously engrossed in satisfying a depraved appetite on the lique- 
fying, evil-smelling mass.. In some cases, it is true, they were associated with 
scavenging larvae of Staphylinidae, Oxytelus and Stenus (Table V), and also 
Onychiurus. The author was, however, successful in rearing the adults from larvae 
in decaying potatoes where no other insects were present. On several occasions 
the larva of L. scolopacea has been taken among decaying vegetable matter, which 
would appear to be their true habitat. 
It is not intended to enter into a lengthy discussion of the various species. The 
information which has been culled from the author’s observations in the field, and 
supplemented here and there from well-known and authenticated sources, has been 
conveniently tabulated for the reader’s reference. In all cases the authorities have 
not been quoted, not because of any pre-conceived idea of neglect, but because their 
very familiarity renders this unnecessary. 
Coleoptera. 
Practically the same classes (Tables IV, V) can be distinguished as in the case of 
Diptera. Although the consideration of the aquatic forms is quite relevant because 
of the proximity of field ponds and the river to our grassland association, yet they 
have been neglected, as the imagines are very rarely, if ever, found among herbage. 
In their behaviour they practically do not contribute towards influencing the 
constitution of the insects of the grassland association. They are best confined to 
a consideration of aquatic communities. 
One point of significance was the occurrence of forms peculiar to moist localities. 
For instance, both in the Alluvial Pasture and in Glover’s Meadow species of 
Coleoptera, besides Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera, were taken, which are, as a 
rule, confined to humid places. The physical and vegetational conditions supply an 
