HEMERGBIUS, 481 



The eggs of the hemeroblus oiFer a curious fpeftacle 

 to the obferver, and for a long time were deenaed para- 

 fitical plants. Each of them is fupported upon a long 

 pedicle, refembling the ftalk. of a plant, of which the egg 

 appeared to be the flower. In this form they are feen 

 in clufters upon leaves, where, as foon as they are 

 hatched, they find fubliftence among the furrounding 

 plant lice. 



In about fifteen days, the larva attains to its full growth, 

 when it weaves to itfelf a fmall white filken cod of 3 

 clofe texture : there the hemerobius lodges about three 

 tveeks, till its metamorphofis into a winged animal is 

 completed : If, however, the cod has not been fpun till 

 Autumn, it remains in it till Spring, when it is tranf- 

 formed. The flight of thefe infe£ls is flow and heavy 5 

 fome of them have an excrementitious fmell. 



The hemeroblus perla of Linnceus is one of the moft 

 beautiful animals of this tribe : The eyes are golden, and 

 the whole body of a yellowifli green * ; the wings are 

 very large, diaphanous, and of nearly the fame colour 

 with the body ; it inhabits garden plants, and whea 

 touched, has the fmell of ordure f » 



VoL» III. 3 P 



f Rai Medl. p. 274, f Vide Monffct, p. 63. & Grew,muf. p. ry^. 



