12 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



membrane immediately after liatctiing, my observa- 

 tions are entirely in accord with those of Cockerell who, 

 in criticising Sharp, points to the fact that the shedding 

 of this envelope is not a real ecdysis. As I have already 

 shown, this membrane binds the appendages to the body. 

 When this is shed, it merely liberates these organs. 

 Were this a real ecdysis, we should see the skin peel 

 from the legs and antennae separately, as well as from 

 the body. 



The skin splits and the prothorax becomes quite 

 large, and in so expanding frees this organ and the head. 

 In examining the old skin we find that part which imme- 

 diately covers the head to be more heavily chitinized; 

 this ''cap" surely protects that organ as the nymph 

 butts its way out of the egg-case. 



The animals seem to have enlarged considerably 

 within the few moments, and the head and thorax are 

 entirely free. The skin thus far removed hangs beneath 

 the ventral surface of the prothorax with that heavily 

 chitinized head covering distinctly visible. The antennae 

 are tightly stretched along the ventral surface, terminat- 

 ing somewhere near the anus, reminding one of two 

 tightly stretched telegraph wires. The legs are also vis- 

 ible through the transparent membrane, all nicely folded 

 close against the abdomen. 



It is now necessary for the remainder of the covering 

 to be removed, and this is done, strangely enough, by 

 the antennae. I have already shown that the head bends 

 downw^ard and that the two antenna which issue there- 

 from are tightly stretched along the ventral surface, 

 terminating near the cerci. The head by a series of bend- 

 ings backward and forward alternately tightens and 

 loosens these cords (antennae). With each backward 

 and tightening motion the skin slips further and further 

 back until the legs are free; these then assist in remov- 

 ing the skin until it slips off over the cerci. The insect 

 is then entirelv free and runs aw^av with astonishing 



