190 



NATURAL HISTORY OF ARTHROPODS. 



Fig. 26T. — Eggs of 

 Mieroeeatrum retir 

 nervis. 



and expanding movements, manages to burst the egg open at its top or exposed end, 

 along the narrow edge, and generally about half way down. Through this opening 

 young Katy slowly emerges, undergoing a moult during the process, 

 and leaving its first skin, in a crumpled white mass, attached to the 

 empty bivalvular egg-shell. Including the hind-legs and antennae, 

 it measures, at this time, rather more than an inch in length, the body 

 alone being one-eighth of an inch long ; and in contemplating it, one 

 cannot but wonder how the long, stiff legs and great length of an- 

 tennae, together with the plump body, could so recently have been 

 compressed into the comparatively small shell to which we see it 

 clinging. 



" In from ten to twenty minutes after, these little beings essay 

 their first leaps, and soon begin to eat with avidity. They feed with 

 almost equal relish upon a great variety of foliage, but I have found 

 that when reared upon very succulent leaves, such as lettuce, cabbage, 

 purslain and the like, they are less hardy, and do not attain so great 

 an age as when nourished upon more ligneous food, as the leaves of 

 oak, apple or cherry. 



" The larval life of these insects lasts from seven to eight weeks. 

 Shortly before the change to pupae, which takes place toward the 

 end of June, the rudiments of the wings and of the sexual organs 

 may be distinguished. In the pupa state they are quite pretty, and their faces have 

 a comically wise look, and every motion is invested with a sort of dignity that cannot 

 fail to amuse the observer. 



" Including the moult in leaving the egg, they cast their skins five times, becoming 

 pupae at the fourth, and acquiring wings at the fifth. In each case the jjalpi are 

 adroitly used to help the long antennae out of the old skin, and a description of the 

 last, wliich is more easily watched, will convey a correct idea of all. In changing 

 from the pupa to the perfect form, the insect stations itself firmly upon a large stem, 

 or a couple of twigs which branch in such a manner as to afford a convenient support, 

 and, after a short period of inactivity, a rupture appears in the covering of the head, 

 and gi-adually extends backward to the posterior edge of the thorax. The armor of 

 the head is next detached from the neck, and by a few upward and downward motions 

 is made to slide off in front, the long, thread-like antennae being drawn out of their 

 shields with great care, in constantly lengthening loops, the palpi affording much 

 assistance in pushing the old skin downward. After the head and antennae are 

 entirely freed the insect remains for a short time motionless, as if to recover from its 

 exertions. Very soon, however, it renews its efforts in a series of rapid jerks and con- 

 tractions, by which the body is impelled forward while the outgrown skin is held 

 firmly in place by the claws of the middle and posterior legs, which remain fixed in 

 the wood. The most difficult part of the whole process seems to be the extrication of 

 the front legs. This once accomplished, the katydid has something to grasp with, and 

 experiences no further trouble in withdrawing the body and the remaining legs from 

 the old integument, often leaving the latter, as an almost transparent shell, in perfect 

 shape upon the twig. It is not allowed to remain long, however, as an object of 

 curiosity, for almost the first efforts of the transformed insect are directed to the task 

 of eating up this, its outgrown and outworn garment.' 



" When first out of its pupal covering the wings of the mature insect hang down 



