99 



The nomenclator, too, might often form a diagnosis by aid of a comparison 

 of the eggs of closely allied sijecies ; the Entomologist would have the pleasure 

 and satisfaction of being able to recognize his species in the egg state ; and even 

 in a mercantile point of view, the architect and the artistic designer might profit, 

 both in mind and pocket, by a study of their forms and exquisitely sculptured 

 surfaces. 



In carrying out observations upon the egg state, the student should 

 note 



Hoiu the egg is laid : whether unattached or attached, or if so, by what means, 

 and also by what part of its surface ; the position of the female (and of her abdomen) 

 at the time of laying^whether hovering, at rest, or in what other act ; whether 

 the eggs are laid singly or in batches, and if the latter, the number, and whether 

 uuarranged or how arranged ; also the total number deposited, and whether nude 

 or covered, and in the latter case how covered or protected, together with any 

 exceptions, individual, special, natural, or abnormal. 



When laid : at what date or dates, at what time or times of day or night, at 

 what intervals, how long after copulation, and how long after emergence of the 

 female, noting also exceptions. 



Where laid : if not on the food plant, where ; if on the food, the exact 

 position, as well as any exceptional instances which may come under notice. 



The duration of the egg state, in species and in individual cases ; influences 

 of temperature, soil, locality, altitude, time of year, &c., which promote, retard, or 

 modify the natui-al changes. 



The appearance of the egg itself, as form, colour or colours, markings, eleva- 

 tions, depressions, and sculpture on the surface, together with changes, normal or 

 irregular, from the time of exclusion to that of hatching. 



The mode of exit of the larva should be exactly observed, and any other remarks 

 or experiments which may present themselves to the student should, if possible, be 

 followed up ; such as, for instance, those of proving how long the egg state may 

 continue (i.e., the ovum retain its vitahty), with a view to throwing Hght upon the 

 at present hidden causes of the disappearance and periodical appearance of certain 

 species ; and of discovering if there be any sexual arrangement of the eggs, as 

 laid, to account for the consecutive emergence of a preponderance of one sex at one 

 time, the other at another, from the same batch of eggs. 



In describing, the best order will be to give the names of the parent 

 species, and then, by the assistance of microscopic examination, the measure- 

 ments, form, sculpture, colour, markings, and changes, arrangement of the eggs, 

 time, situation, &c. : after which a diagnosis from the eggs of allied species may be 

 added, as well as any further remarks which may suggest themselves. 



PKESEEVATION. 



In the Preservation of eggs, we must recollect that they are composed of 

 an external membrane or shell of greater or less transparency or opacity, enclosing 

 (when fertilised) a larva with appendages, and that the colour and markings are 

 in very many cases principally due to the fact that the contained animal is visible 

 t!;:ongh the shell, for which reason those objects, when simply placed in collec- 



