I'm pretty sure there are two ways to destroy them. The first way that I know for sure works is the boomerang, which you won't acquire until very late in the game. The second way might work, but I'm not positive. You've got to use your magic powder on them, which requires getting very close, so you might get hurt. But if it works, it will destroy the thing and release a fairy which should restore your life anyway.

The thing is though, you don't have to defeat them. You can just avoid them and play the rest of the dungeon unhindered.

Edit: I apologize. I went back and tried the magic powder method unsuccessfully. I must have been getting it confused with another Zelda game. But just avoid them and you shouldn't have any problems. Don't forget to get the boomerang too. That kills them for sure.

This message was edited by WangChung on Aug 24 2006.