Insects Injurious to Agriculture. 113 



eggs cliallenges our admiration at the beautiful adaptation of 

 means to tlie accomplisliment of important ends. Nature lias 

 furnished this insect with a fluid analogou.s to that of the spi- 

 der for spinning her web. When ready to deposit an egg, this 

 insect touches the end of her body to a branch or leaf, and 

 then elevates the abdomen, drawing out a pure white thread, 

 half an inch in length, which hardens instantly, on the sum- 

 mit of which she fixes an egg. This being repeated, from 10 to 

 20 eggs are thus placed on slender threads. The eggs when 

 first deposited are pale gi-een, becoming opaqu.e before hatching. 

 Now the object of thus placing the eggs on these hairs is evi- 

 dent. Were they placed in reach the first larva that escaped 

 from an egg would devour the remainder. So nature has well 

 guarded the continuance of the species. 



The larvte of the various species of Lace-wings differ con- 

 siderably in color. They are mostly of a reddish brown, light- 

 er on the sides, with a dark line down the back. The body is 

 long, wrinkled, short hairs projecting from each segment ; has 

 six legs, and is armed with a pair of formidable, sickle 

 shaped jaws, which project conspicuously in front. Thus 

 armed these lions hurry about in one continual state of activity 

 day and night in quest of plant lice, their legitimate prey. 

 They seize the lice with their tongs, and elevate them, till they 

 have sucked every particle of substance from the bodies, then 

 giving the skins a toss, resume their search for more victims. 

 It is astonishing how many lice are destroyed by a single aphis- 

 lion. 



Having attained its growth, the lion make the last meal an 

 excessive one, remains torpid for a day or two, then spins a 

 circular cocoon in which the insect is entombed during the win- 

 ter. The first warm day of spring calls them out. So open- 

 ing a small door, in this temporary grave, emerges a beautiful 

 Lady Lace- wing, dressed up in the most extravagant finery. 



Lady Birds. — Family CoccineUidce, order Coleoptera^ small, 



