i 4 2 MINUTE MARVELS OF NATURE 



the parasite of the Pheasant, attached by its 

 natural cement to the quill of the feather. And 

 as a still further example from familiar birds, 

 the prettily sculptured and porcelain-like eggs 



Fig. 90. Eggs of a fowl parasite, x 25 diameters 



of the parasite of the Peacock are shown in 

 Fig. 92. 



The living matter contained in the tiny eggs 

 of insects is protected by three external coats. 

 Beside the shell proper there is a delicate inner 

 covering, and on the outside there is usually 

 added a layer of material secreted from special 

 glands at the time of depositing. This latter 

 sometimes forms a coat for one egg, or a common 

 capsule for a number, for all insects do not deposit 



