140 
PSYCHE 
[December 
considerably as may be expected. The range was from fifteen (15) to one hundred 
and fifty (150) seconds, the smaller time-periods doubtless due to the fact that mere 
attempts to oviposit were mistaken for accomplishments of the act itself. With the 
lens, the following periods of time were obtained. 
Deposition number. 
1 . 
2 , 
3. 
4. 
5. 
( 1 . 
7. 
S. 
9. 
10 . 
10 . 
Time, seconds. 
70. 
115. 
SO. 
SO. 
15. 
15. 
15. 
25. 
120 . 
150. 
S5.6, avg. 
Observations with the microscope were made with the §-inch objective, Bausch 
and Lomb, which was admirably fitted for the purpose. Every movement of the 
insect could be plainly seen, and therefore the time for each deposition could be 
accurately measured. The following time is to be accepted as that which is correct, 
obtained from many subsequent observations. The time was taken from the begin- 
ning of the insertion of the ovipositor. 
Deposition number. 
1 . 
2, 
3. 
”3.~ 
Time, seconds. 
120 . 
120 . 
150. 
130., avg. 
From this, it is .safe to .say that two (2) minutes, more or less, is the average time 
taken to deposit a single egg. Individual differences cause the variation. From 
fifteen (15) to forty-five (45) seconds is normally req\nred for insertion of the long 
ovipositor. (Vifle seq., 6.) 
3. Faulty inutinct. This is doubtless present in some form in all insects. In 
TricJiogramma pretiosa, when in confinement, some very interesting observations 
were made on this. 
