LIFE-HISTORIES. 243 



consists of a bold network which runs all over the surface, and is 

 composed of fine raised lines enclosing more or less pentagonal areas. 

 The cells vary in size, but usually measure about O'OSmm. in diameter. 

 They extend right into the circular micropylar basin which is situated 

 in the truncated end of the egg. The rosette of the micropyle 

 is composed of seven small, more or less pentagonal, cells. These are 

 surrounded by about twenty similar, but larger, cells. The smallest 

 of these micropylar cells, the inner ones, are about ^ the size of the 

 above mentioned network cells, and the outer cells increase in size as 

 they are situated further from the micropyle, until they cannot be 

 distinguished from the ordinary network cells. [Described July 18th, 

 1905, from eggs laid on July Sth, 1905, by two ? s sleeved with two 

 (? s over a growing plant of sorrel in a flowerpot, by Mr. P. Reid. 

 The ova were practically all laid on the muslin of the sleeve, only 

 one appears to have been placed on the leaf.] —A. Sigh. 



Ovipositing of Pieris brassic^. — On the morning of July 27th, 

 in dull weather, with a few drops of rain falling, I watched a female 

 Pieru brassirae fluttering over a patch of nasturtium. After a few 

 minutes she selected a small young leaf in a shady corner and settled 

 on it, depositing one egg at once (lOh. 26m. 40s.), presumably as a 

 trial ; then, shifting her position slightly, proceeded to lay eighteen 

 others, in, as far as I could see, the following order — 



9 6 1 



8 7 3 2 

 11 10 5 4 

 17 16 14 13 12 

 19 18 15 

 All being fairly upright except 8, which inclines upwards, and 17 

 downwards. The whole process was carried out slowly and deliberately, 

 the position being carefully felt for each time. The abdomen was 

 withdrawn between the wings during each interval, and when pro- 

 truded was brought out slowly and reluctantly, just like a person 

 taking money from his pocket unwillinglj\ The antennae were kept 

 motionless at an angle of about 45° forward and upward daring the 

 whole operation. On finishing (lOh. 31m. 50s.) she rose at once, fluttered 

 round a few times, and then flew away to a vegetable garden, ap- 

 parently with the intention of laying more. The time taken works 

 out at a rate of a little less than four a minute. All emerged by 

 11 p.m. on August 2nd, and were then engaged in eating the shells. — 

 Philip de la Garde, The Grange, Buckfastleigh. August ISth, 1905. 



Query Concerning the Pupa of Euchloe cardamines. — I recently 

 watched the pupation of EucJdo'e cardamines. I observed that when 

 the larval skin was slipped, the pupa evolved possessed a blunt, 

 rounded head, without angles, more like the pupa of Apon'a crataeqi, 

 but that, from this rounded head, a something was thrust forward, 

 which took the well-known hornlike shape, into which the pupa 

 finally hardened. Later on, when the time came for the development 

 of the wings, I discovered that the horn was absolutely empty, and 

 that the only part which could have occupied it was the comparatively 

 tiny brush of hair upon the head. Can any of your correspondents 

 confirm my somewhat careless observations, or offer an explanation of 

 the use or purpose of the said horn ? — C. R. N. Burrows. August 

 'mil, 1905. 



