. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. 484 NEUROPTERA metamorphosis inasmuch as the larva, instead of lying free, con- structs a cocoon in its case or other habitation in which to change to a nymph. In the larvae that do not make use of a portable case the abdominal hooks are not essential, and are replaced by other organs differing much in structure, being sometimes apparently of a sensitive natiire, in other forms possibly respira- tory. Miiller tells us of a carnivorous larva of this group in which the anterior legs are armed with powerful forceps for pre- datory purposes. The Hydroptili
. The Cambridge natural history. Zoology. 484 NEUROPTERA metamorphosis inasmuch as the larva, instead of lying free, con- structs a cocoon in its case or other habitation in which to change to a nymph. In the larvae that do not make use of a portable case the abdominal hooks are not essential, and are replaced by other organs differing much in structure, being sometimes apparently of a sensitive natiire, in other forms possibly respira- tory. Miiller tells us of a carnivorous larva of this group in which the anterior legs are armed with powerful forceps for pre- datory purposes. The Hydroptilides comprise the most minute of the Phryganeidae, and their species will prob- ably prove to be very numerous in well- watered tropical regions, though few have yet been described from there. The per-. viac- "with larva feet Insects (Fig. 320) bear an extreme resemblance to small moths of the group Tineidae. The larvae (Fig. 329) are des- titute of respiratory filaments, and con- struct portable cases of a variety of forms, some resembling seeds. Miiller has given particulars of a curious nature as to' the cases of some Brazilian Hydrop- tilides ; one species moors its dwelling to a stone by means of a long silken cable, by this artifice combining safety with the power of ranging over a con- ^' siderable extent of water. In Diaulus there is only a narrow slit at each end of the case, but one side of it is provided with two chimneys to permit the flow of water for respiratory purposes. The larva of Oxyethira (Fig. 330) is a curious form, possess- ing comparatively long legs, and a head and thorax slender in comparison with the distended hind body. The cases are fastened, for tlie purposes of pupation, to a leaf of a water-lily. Some very curious anomalies as regards the development of the wings exist in the Phryganeidae; Anomalopteryx, for instance, has the wings quite short and useless for flight in the male, while in the other sex they are ample; in Enoicyla, —the curio
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