EGGS OF INSECTS. 39 



of the important act of propagation. The males in 

 most cases die very soon after they have performed 

 the primary object of their existence, the impregna- 

 tion of the females ; and the latter seldom live long 

 after they have deposited their eggs. Such in fact is 

 the influence of the act of reproduction upon insect 

 life, that, when its performance is prevented, many of 

 these ephemeral creatures may be kept alive for a con- 

 siderable time, and it is doubtless from this cause 

 that many summer insects are enabled to pass through 

 the winter in their mature state. The means by 

 which this end is generally effected are very different, 

 as will be seen hereafter. 



It will be understood from the foregoing statements 

 that all Insects are produced by a regular sexual 

 generation, and the fancies of some of the older 

 naturalists, including even the illustrious Harvey, 

 that these creatures might be formed by some physical 

 process from decomposing matter, are now generally 

 exploded. We may go further than this, and say 

 that nearly all Insects are produced from eggs, which 

 are usually deposited by the mother, with wonderful 

 instinct, upon, or in the immediate vicinity of a supply 

 of food suitable to the wants of her offspring, although, 

 in many cases, this may be wholly repugnant to her 

 own peculiar tastes. 



The eggs of insects are curious, and often beautiful 

 objects. Their shape is frequently exceedingly ele- 

 gant, and the skin or shell with which they are 

 covered, in many instances exhibits patterns of great 

 beauty, formed by raised lines, which run in various 

 directions upon its surface. They are not unfre- 

 quently furnished with peculiar appendages, which 



