131

from a greyish larva, destitute of legs, which is found beneath the roots of grass, in meadows, gardens, &c. This larva changes into a Iengtii cued and pointed chrysalis, out of which a complete insect emerges in September. The chrysalids of both kinds are furnished with two small curved horns, through which they breathe, and are endued with a progressive motion; but cannot move backwards, being prevented by little spines placed on every ring of the abdo men.

The Tipula crocata is one of the few insects of this genus, adorned with lively colours: it is of polished black, and the body encircled with golden rings. The larva is found in the stumps of decayed trees, and the perfect insect is often met with in meadows.

You may have observed great numbers of
minute flies sporting on the windows in a sum
mer's evening, which, probably, you have mis
taken for gnats: they are the Tip.uiwp/iake
noides, and when examined in the microscope,
their wings deeply fringed with hair, and the
nerves beset with .cales or feathers, make a
very elegant appearance. Some of the smaller
kinds flutter about the waterside in a summer's
evening, in prodigious numbers in the larva
state many of them are a prey to sties; when
they