NUMBER OF EGGS LAID 13 



(2), 25, 22 (2), 20 (2), 19, 18 (2), 17 (2), 9, 7. In addition, one was 

 simply froth, no eggs being present at all, and one mass was missed. 

 Average number of eggs per mass 29. 



2. Seven females with males transferred to cage, 15th October, 

 1910. On 20th October, 1910, first egg-laying observed ; last egg-laying 

 observed 13th December, 1910. Last female died 25th January, 1911. 

 Examination of soil on 31st January, 1911, revealed twenty-one egg- 

 masses or three per individual female. The measurements varied 

 between 8 mm. and I82 mm., the majority lying between 13 and 

 15h mm. The number of eggs per mass was as follows : — 



59 (2), 54 (4), 52 (2), 50 (2), 48, 47 (3), 45 (2), 44, 43, 3G 

 Two masses were broken and so could not be counted. 

 Average number of eggs per mass 49. 



In this case, the average is very much greater, as is 

 also the total number of eggs hiid per iiKliviclual. In the 

 first case, we have about 103 eggs per individual, wliile, in 

 the second case, there were about 150 laid per individual 

 and this notwithstanding the fact that there was a decided- 

 ly higher number of masses per individual in the first case 

 than in the second. 



The egg-masses are very firm and tough. This is so 

 much so that it is very difficult to dissect out the eggs 

 from them. In the above, the egg-masses were first boiled 

 in solution of caustic potash before the eggs were dis- 

 sected out. 



The eggs themselves are elongate elliptical, of a 

 yellowish colour and measure on the average 55 mm. 

 by li mm. in the case of alcohol specimens. They are 

 so arranged in the mass that the head of the de- 

 veloping insect lies at the upper end. Thus when the 

 young grasshopper emerges from the egg, it is in the 

 position best suited to facilitate its escape to the surface 

 of the soil. At the lower end of the egg, is the small 

 opening in the shell or outer covering, the so-called 

 micropyle, through which the male cell enters to fertilise 

 the egg. 



HatcJidfig of tlie er/gn. — The hatchuig of the eggs of 

 the Rice Grasshopper commences shortly after the begin- 

 ning of the south-west monsoon, or, in other words, about 

 the middle of June, and continues for about a month and a- 

 half . There may be considerable variation, however, as to 

 the time of commencement of hatching, and this is no 

 doubt connected with the rains. Thus, in 1909, young 

 grasshoppers in considerable numbers were found in some 

 villages in the neighbourhood of Anavatti on the 15th 



