22 



THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



separate apartments. The appearance of the 

 circular ceilings formed on these ingenious prin- 

 ciples is exhibited in the engraving annexed. 



One of the most striking facts 

 in connexion with the proceed- 

 ings of this little creature has 

 yet to be brought under our 

 notice. It will be readily ad- 

 mitted that the first egg depo- 

 sited at the bottom of the gallery 

 will be the first, in point of time, 

 that will be hatched, and, conse- 

 quently, the first to require to 

 make its escape from the wooden 

 prison-house of its birth. How 

 is it possible for this to take 

 place, when above the poor pri- 

 soner's head are ten or twelve 

 cells full of other occupants, 

 and each shut in with a hard 

 ceiling and floor ? By referring 

 to the figure, we obtain a clue 

 to this enigma. It is here 

 holes which communicate 

 The uppermost of these 



Section of Cells, show 

 ways ofescap< 



seen that there are 

 with the tunnel within. 



