OVIPOSITORS OF INSECTS. 



617 



which have brown edges. The female lays her eggs on 

 the under-side of the leaf, along the projecting veins ; 

 these are firmly attached, and cannot be removed without 



Fig. 276. — 17(6 Caterpillar and Saw-fly of Gooseberry -tree. 



crushing. The instrument which the little insect uses for 

 the purpose of cutting the leaf is the most remarkable 

 piece of perfect mechanism imaginable ; securely lodged, 



Fig. 277. — Saws of Saw-fly. (The small circle incloses the same nearly the 



natural size.) 



when not in use, in a long narrow slit beneath the abdomen, 

 and protected b;y two horny plates, which at first appear 

 io consist of a single piece ; but upon closer inspection 



