174 BULLETIN OF THE 



The eggs are usually found in clusters of about a dozen each, though 

 the number is subject to considerable variation. Sometimes they are 

 only loosely collected together, or even moderately scattered over an 

 area of a few inches ; at others, they are closely packed in a more or 

 less rounded mass. Owing to the nature of the place chosen for de- 

 posit, they are often arranged in rows, as in the narrow cracks of moist, 

 decaying wood, or in the chinks in cakes of earth. On splitting the 

 wood or breaking open the earth, they are occasionally found to fill all 

 the available space completely, and if the cavity is broad and shallow 

 they are accordingly arranged in rows a single layer deep. It is won- 

 derful into what narrow crevices the eggs are sometimes crowded, ap- 

 parently for better protection from enemies. 



They vary in external appearance according to the hygrometric con- 

 ditions in which they are found. If the requisite amount of moisture 

 is available, they are of a full, plump outline, and resemble beads of 

 pearl or frosted silver. If their surroundings are dry, they have a 

 shrivelled look, are more or less flattened, and have a faint yellowish 

 tint. Moisture restores them to their normal shape and color. 



A careful examination will show some modifications of form, especially 

 if the eggs are taken from different groups. Those taken from a single 

 mass are usually rather uniform in appearance, though they may show 

 noticeable differences. The same is true of their dimensions. The 

 average long diameter is a little more than 2 mm. The short diam- 

 eter may almost equal the long diameter, or it may be hardly more 

 than half as long. 



Sections of eggs at right angles to the long axis are almost circular, 

 and never differ in any constant manner from that form ; but sections 

 coinciding with the long axis would, in most cases, show oval outlines 

 varying, as has been indicated, in the proportions of their axes. The 

 curvature at either end of this oval is usually about the same, al- 

 though in some cases one is more pointed than the other. Furthermore, 

 one end (sometimes both) may be drawn out into a sort of cue, which 

 varies greatly in different eggs. Rarely the cues of a couple are con- 

 tinuous. In those found at Fredonia I have never seen more than two 

 thus united. Usually all are quite separate, even though lying in 

 groups close together. In those found at Cambridge I have observed 

 a greater tendency to this union, and once counted thirty thus joined 

 into a delicate rosary. There could be no doubt in this case that all 

 were laid by the same individual, and in regular succession. Indirect 

 evidence that those contained in a given mass were also all laid at the 



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