52 
different in consistency and in colour; one, somewhat flattened transversely, of oval 
form and of a brown shade, is the insect itself; the other, rounded, formed of a sort of 
silk or white wool, constitutes the envelope of the pouch which secretes a considerable 
quantity of very small yellowish grains, adhering together by means of a filamentous 
substance similar to that which forms the envelope of the pouch. This substance, to 
which a sugary taste has been attributed, seems, on the contrary, to be very irritating ; 
placed on the mucous membranes it excites a violent inflammation. The small yel- 
lowish grains are the eggs, the number of which is variable, according to the more or 
less favourable conditions attending their production. They are of oval shape and °28 
of a millimétre in their longer diameter. The mean quantity found in a pouch cannot 
be estimated at less than 100 to 125. The hatching of the eggs begins at the peri- 
phery of the pouch, the circumference of which is soon afterwards torn by the first 
larve which appear. The gnawing of the pouch by ants, which are greedy in pursuit 
of it, rapidly effects the exit of the young ‘lice’ and their dispersion over the sur- 
rounding parts. It is only at the end of several days that all the larve have burst 
through the filamentous matter, and abandoned the pouch which sheltered them. 
At this time, the mother is almost dried up and looks like a brownish scale. 
At the moment of detaching itself, the larva is still surrounded by a film of the 
filamentous substance, which by its lightness and the surface which it opposes 
to the breeze easily explains the carriage of the insect for great distances by 
means of currents of air. Its oblong body is from front to back °4 millim. in 
length; with three pairs of long and slender feet, the tarsus of which is formed of five 
joints, and ends in a sort of claw which issues from between two long hairs. The 
abdomen at the posterior and median part has a deep slit, which passes beyond two 
small tubercles, on which are implanted two long filaments directed horizontally 
backwards, and which have a slight curvature. The head has on either side a round 
and prominent eye, and is armed with two long antenne bristling with short and 
slender hairs. This larva is scarcely perceptible to the naked eye; it requires a strong 
lens to see it distinctly. As soon as it leaves its mother’s pouch, it seeks a place 
suitable for fixing itself. It is curious to see the activity which these small animals 
then display; as quick in their movements as ants, they run from side to side, 
and spread themselves* over the neighbouring leaves, which they seem to study 
with care until they meet with the wished-for conditions for establishing their 
new abode. 
“ One remarkable circumstance peculiar to this insect is, that instead of improving 
as it is developed, as takes place for the most part with other larvae, it on the contrary 
gradually loses its primitive qualities, and at the end of some days transforms itself in 
a manner not easy to be known again. Its tail and antenne fall off, its feet waste 
away, its head becomes less distinct, its body grows round; and soon, incapable of 
performing the slightest motion, it presents itself under the guise of a small whitish 
and transparent body adhering closely to the leaf on which it has fastened itself. This 
transformation, at one time slow, at another rapid, is dependent on the greater or 
less facility which the larva meets with in fiuding a favourable locality, the object of 
its active search. Thus withered leaves, exposure of the plant to a current of air, are 
causes which retard the transformation; whilst a suitable exposure, tender and green 
leaves, on the contrary, have the effect of making it more rapid. But, in any ease, it 
is only at the end of several days that the larva begins to undergo the modifications of 
which we have just spoken. 
‘ 
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