By far the larger number of larvæ belong to this class; that is, they do not resemble the perfect insect. Do not resemble! could any one believe that these strange, and some of them awful looking larvæ ever became butterflies? yet they all belong to that tribe of insects.
In order to give a clear conception of the structure of a larva, we may briefly mention the names of its various parts. First then, there is a head of various shapes, sometimes of the shape of a heart, sometimes round or triangular. Attached to the head are the two antennæ; or, as they are commonly called, feelers, most probably an incorrect expression, as it appears that insects may possibly hear as well as feel by their means. At the side of the head are the eyes, which are formed much more simply than those of the perfect insect. Next is the mouth, provided with its upper and lower pair of jaws. Then there is the body and its legs; and lastly, there is in many larvæ, living in the water, a tail, which, strange to say, is provided with a delicate tube, through which the larva breathes. A beautiful instance of such an appendage to the body of the larva, is represented in the adjoining cut; the various parts of the larva are also represented in the accompanying figure.
Diagram of a Larva.
We may now enter upon a few particulars connected with the general history of insects in the larva form.