26 INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS. 



tioned by the Abbe Preaux, of a four-winged fly, 

 called by him, Mouche baliste, which, when caught, 

 jets out its eggs at intervals, as if by the jerk of a 

 spring.* 



The apparent analogy, however, between these in- 



A, Plants of Sphcerobofus, natural size. B, magnified view. 

 C, sectional view, with the seed just previous to projection. D r 

 the seed in the act of projection. E, a plant immediately after 

 projection ; a, the seed ; 6 6, a line indicating its course. 



* Diet. Classique d'Hist. Nat., Art. MOUCHES BALISTES. 

 The words are * Insecte a quatre ailes, qui lance ses oeufs a di- 

 verses reprises, et comme par un ressort, lorsqu'on le saisit.' 



