144 LACKEY MOTH. 



It is wonderful how the shape of the egg is adapted 

 to the peculiar form into which they have to be 

 moulded, and how perfectly they all fit together. 

 Each egg is much wider at the top than at the 

 bottom ; and this increase of width is so accurately 

 proportioned, that when the eggs are fitted together 

 round a branch, the circle described by their upper 

 surfaces corresponds precisely with that of the 

 branch. 



These eggs are left exposed to every change of the 

 elements, and are frequently actually enveloped in a 

 coat of ice when a frost suddenly succeeds a thaw. 

 But they are guarded from actual contact with ice 

 and snow by a coating of varnish which is laid over 

 them, and which performs the double office of acting 

 as a waterproof garment and of gluing the eggs 

 firmly together. So tightly do they adhere to each 

 other, that if the twig be cut off close to the bracelet 

 the little egg circlet can be slipped off entire. 



