The egg after leaving the branched ovaries and before 

 entering the ovipositor is fertilised by the entrance of the 

 male sperm at its micropyle. The spermatazoa having 

 been received during copulation into the bursa are thence 

 discharged through a tube called The Ductus Seminalis on 

 to the eggs as each passes through the vagina (Calliclystis 

 debiliata, pi. xxxii.). 



Usually two other tubes enter at the same point, of 

 which one undoubtedly furnishes the adhesive secretion 

 by which the eggs are fastened to the food plant. Should 

 the female be killed after the fertilisation of an egg, but 

 before it has been laid, such an egg will produce a larva, 

 which being unable to escape perishes, and its existence is 

 only discovered on preparing the body of the parent for 

 the microscope. Hence no doubt the legend of viviparous 

 Lepidoptera. I have found such larvae in a large number 

 of species. 



THE OVIPOSITOR. 



The form of ovipositor general in the Geometridce 

 consist of a pair of lobes set with bristles. The retractile 

 or telescopic form, developed in order to reach far into a 

 crevice, as for instance a rolled-up grass stem, also occurs. 

 Further, there is a tubular form, and I draw especial 

 attention to yet another which is elaborately decorated 

 with long thickened hairs and scales. This last form I call 

 Floricomus, it is rare in the Geometridce, occurring only 

 in Theria rupicapraria and Aleucis pictaria, pi. xir., but 

 it is found also in Cosmia amongst the Noctuidce, and is by 

 no means uncommon in the Tortricidce. 



THE OSTIUM. 



The ostium is the external opening of the Ductus 

 Bursae. It is directly attached to the segmental rods which 

 are sometimes dorsally united by a hard chitinous band. 

 When this is the case I speak of the ostium as being en- 

 circled. Occasionally there is a covering or flap which 



