THE ORTIlol'TIvRA OF MIXXHSOTA. IT) 



of laying eggs, writes: "By re]3eatedly extracting and 

 studying specimens in ever}- stage of oviposition, wc have 

 been able to ascertain the exact method by which the egg- 

 mass is formed. If we could manage to watch a female 



FIG. 3.— Rocky Mountain Locust, in the act of laying eggs. (After Riley). 



from the time the bottom of her hole is moistened by the 

 sebific fluid, we should see the valves all brought together, 

 when an egg would pass down the oviduct along the ventral 

 side, and, guided by a little finger-like style, pass in between 

 the horny valves, and issue at their tips amid the mucous 

 fluid already spoken of. Then follows a period of convul- 

 sions during which more mucous material is elaborated, 

 until the whole end of the body is bathed in it, when another 

 egg passes down and is placed in position. These alternate 

 processes continue until the full complement of eggs arc in 

 place, the number ranging from twenty to thirty-five, but 

 averaging about twenty-eight. The mucous matter binds 

 all the eggs in a mass, and when the last is laid, the mother 

 devotes some time to filling up the somewhat narrower neck 

 of the burrow with a compact and cellular mass of the 

 same material, which, though light and easily penetrated, is 

 more or less impervious to water, and forms a very excellent 

 protection. When fresh the mass is soft and moist, but it 

 soon acquires a firm consistency. 



