10 METHODS OF INSECT LIFE. 



a sharp point, insert their eggs in caterpillars, or other 

 living structures on which the grubs from the eggs 

 feed ; some lay them with a long gummy thread 

 attached on which the eggs stand up like pin-heads 

 on their stem. In fact, the forms of eggs and methods 

 of deposit are endless ; but such a large number are 

 noticeably laid on decaying animal and vegetable sub- 

 stances as to have given rise to the popular idea that 

 insects are " bred," as it is phrased, by rotten matter 

 and putrid water. 



It should be clearly borne in mind, and instruction 

 carefully given, that this is never the case. Insects 

 are only produced from insects ; they are never en- 

 gendered spontaneously, nor by putrid matter of any 

 kind. They are often to be seen coming out of such 

 filth, or the grubs and maggots are to be found 

 swarming in it ; but if watch is kept it may be seen 

 how attack is started by noticing Gnats laying their 

 masses of eggs (" egg-boats," as they are termed) on 

 stagnant water ; Blowflies laying their eggs, or even 

 their hatching maggots, on meat, bones, or carcases ; 

 Beetles laying their eggs in dead animals or cattle- 

 droppings, or in decayed wood ; and with a little 

 watching the grubs will be found hatching according 

 to the nature of their parents. 



This is an important matter to understand rightly, 

 for it sometimes happens that there is an uneasiness 

 as to whether various kinds of crop attack are set on 

 foot by insects brought with manure ; and although 

 we are very safe from bones or dung " breeding " 

 maggots, yet nothing is more likely than that various 

 kinds of insects (for instance, cabbage and turnip-root 

 flies) will be attracted by farm manure to lay their 

 eggs in it or near it, and that the maggots will thence 

 go on to the roots. 



Sometimes instead of being deposited as an egg the 

 young insect is produced alive. This is often the case 

 with the young of Aphides or Plant-lice, and also with 

 some kinds of two-winged Flies. 



