190 



BRITISH ENTOMOSTRACA. 



eggs, which at the end of three months, at eight layings 

 during that time, would give 320 young. Out of this 

 number he calculates 80 as males (there being in even 

 laying a great proportion of females), the remaining 240 

 are females. 



The following table will show the prodigious extent of 

 of their fecundity :* 



A single copulation suffices to fecundate the female for 

 life. The male seems very ardent in his amours. By 

 way of prelude, he seizes hold of the hinder feet of the 

 female with his antenna*, which being furnished at its ex- 

 tremity Avith the hinge-joint already described, forms a 

 fastening round her feet, which she cannot loosen by 

 any exertion, and thus he is carried about with great 

 rapidity for some time. The female, however, at length 

 stops, wearied by her exertions, when the male seizes the 

 favorable moment, and in the twinkling of an eye; (as 

 .liiriue expresses it) makes a double copulation, one on 

 each side. According to M idler, the male organs are 

 situate in the swellings which we perceive in the antenna 1 

 of that sex, and which are characteristic of it. Carried 

 away by the analogy of the Arachnidie. and seeing the 

 male take hold of the lo\\er part of the female with his 



' .lunnr, 1 list, <lrs Mmior. \r.. \>. 



