EGGS OF THE LACEWJKG-FLY. 281 



pass into the pupal state, provided only that they can find an 

 abundant supply of aphides on which to feed. Wlien full fed 

 the larva spins a cocoon, in which it passes into the pupal and 

 perfect stages. Like the Ant-lion, to which it is allied, it 

 packs itself up in a wonderfully small compass, for the cocoon 

 is only as large as a sweet pea, and very much of the same 

 shape. 



The eggs of the Lacewing-fly are quite as remarkable as the 

 cocoon. They are generally deposited on leaves, but, instead 

 of being laid directly on the leaf, every egg is fixed to the end 

 of a slender footstalk about half an inch in length. This foot- 

 stalk is formed from a viscous matter secreted by the female, 

 and is delicately white and translucent. Mr. A. G. Butler, of 

 the British Museum, told me that he has kept Lacewing-flies, 

 and often seen them lay their eggs. The end of the abdomen 

 is first pressed against the leaf, and a tiny drop of the viscous 

 matter deposited. The abdomen is then raised quickly, so as 

 to draw out a thread, which becomes stiff and hard almost as 

 soon as it comes into contact with the air. Then the insect 

 pauses a little, and rapidly places an egg on the end of the 

 thread, fixing it there with another tiny drop of the secretion. 

 The eggs are always laid in groups, one of which is shown on 

 Woodcut XXVII. Fig. a. Some specimens in my own col- 

 lection are laid along a lilac twig, and in all of them the 

 remains of the viscous drops are apparent in the form of a partly 

 conical footstalk, much resembling in shape and translucency the 

 foot and stem of a wine-glass. The eggs themselves are pure 

 white, and, when viewed through a microscope, have something 

 of a papery aspect. They bear a curious resemblance to the 

 capsules of certain mosses, and indeed have been described 

 and figured in books as specimens of British moss. 



Another member of the same family is shown on Woodcut 

 XXVII. Fig. 5. This is called scientifically Osmylus ckrysojps, 

 but I am not aware whetlier it possesses any popular name. 

 This genus can at once be distinguished from Chrysopa by 

 looking at the front of the head, in which there are three 

 ocelli or simple eyes, set in a triangle on the forehead, wherea'^ 

 there are no ocelli in Chrysopa. 



This is the largest British example of the family, and. 



