252 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



[Nov. 1, 1870". 



similar, and the figures we give are to be taken 

 rather as indications of a somewhat neglected field 

 of microscopical observation, than exhaustive of 

 the subject. Of the Pieridi, the eggs of the Large 

 Cabbage White (Pieris brassicce) are characteristic 

 (fig. 203). Their elongated form bears a remote re- 



Fig. 203. Pieris brassicce. 



semblance to an Indian tom-tom in miniature ; this 

 may be exhibited in a woodcut, but not the iri- 

 descence or opalescence, which adds much to the 

 beauty of these little-known objects. The insect, 

 and consequently the eggs, are common enough 

 everywhere. 



Fig. 201. The Meadow Brown. 



The eggs of the Meadow Brown (Hipparchia 

 Janira) illustrate one genus of the Satyridi, and 

 those of the Small Heath another. Those of the 

 Meadow Brown (fig. 204) are much shorter and 

 thicker than the foregoing, truncated at the apex, 

 and channelled longitudinally with broad fluted 

 furrows, crossed by transverse lines. They are quite 

 distinct in the depressions and apex from the 

 following. 



Those of the Small Heath (Ccenonympha Pam- 

 pliilus) are truncated, with a papillate apex (fig. 205), 

 the sides are fluted, but without the transverse line- 

 like elevations of Pieris. In this form there is a 

 very distinct departure from the type of the series 

 illustrated by the Cabbage White. 



The Vanessidi, which include the most showy of 

 British butterflies, as the Peacock, Purple Emperor, 

 Bed Admiral, Camberwell Beauty, the Tortoise- 



shells, &c., we illustrate by the eggs of the Red 

 Admiral {Vanessa Atalantd). They are shorter than 



Fig. 205. Camonympha Pamphilus. 



those of the Cabbage White, the ridges are more 

 prominent and beaded (fig. 206), whilst the apex is 

 flattened, and depressed in the centre. 



Fig. 206. Vanessa Atalanta. 



The Hair Streaks are represented by the Brown 

 Hair Streak (Thecla betida?), the eggs of which are 

 somewhat spherical, with a flattened base, covered 



Fig. 207. Brown Hair Streak. 



with the projecting, and pointed walls of the small 

 irregular areola?. They are of a porcellanic white- 

 ness, dull and opaque. 



Fig. 208. The Small Copper. 



The Coppers find their representative here in the 

 Small Copper [Chrysophanus Phlccas) ; and a most 

 singular and interesting egg it is. The figure is 



