144 TRUE TALES OF THE INSECTS. 



galls. They seem, however, to prefer ovipositing, not 

 in fresh galls, as might be supposed, but in blackened 

 and weather-beaten specimens that have persisted 

 through several seasons, probably because the scales 

 are more easily forced apart.* 



Since the imagines of X. ensiferuvi oviposit from the 

 middle of August to September, and hatching is delayed 

 until the following May or June, eight to nine months 

 is therefore required for embryonic development, and 

 the whole post-embryonic development must be passed 

 through in three months. Development of the embryo 

 begins in autumn, but a period of quiescence super- 

 venes, due to cold weather. 



Several of the congeners of X. ensiferuin lay their 

 eggs in the pith of twigs. Fissures in twigs and stems 

 of trees and shrubs are chosen by many for the purpose. 

 The eggs of Microccntnis retinervis constantly attract 

 attention on account of their large size, their remarkable 

 regularity of arrangement, and exposed position. They 

 are deposited in one or two rows overlapping each other, 

 upon twigs or margins of leaves. They are laid in 

 autumn, during the day occasionally, but usually at night, 

 and become more swollen as they approach the hatching 

 period in spring. In the early part of May hatching 

 occurs, the young insect undergoing a moult during 

 the process. By the time emergence is completed, 



* Embryology of this insect, Wheeler, J. Morphol.^ viii. 1893. 



