Tree-Hoppers. 1 67 



with some care, was anxious to see the insect itself make use 

 of the ovipositor in forming grooves in wood, but found that 

 it was so shy and easily alarmed, that it took to flight when- 

 ever he approached ; a circumstance of which Reaumur takes 



Ovipositors, with files, of Tree-hopper, magniSed. 



advantage, to soothe his regret that the insects were not 

 indigenous in his neighbourhood. But of their workmanship, 

 when completed, he had several specimens sent to him from 

 Provence and Languedoc by the Marquis de Caumont. 



The gall-flies, w r hen about to deposit their eggs, select 

 growing plants and trees ; but the tree-hoppers, on the con- 

 trary, make choice of dead, dried branches, for the mother 



Excavations for eggs of Tree-hopper, with the chip-lids raised. 



seems to be aware that moisture would injure her progeny. 

 The branch, commonly a small one, in which eggs have been 

 deposited, may be recognised by being covered with little 



