142 MINUTE MARVELS OF NATURE 



the parasite of the Pheasant, attached by its 

 natural cement to the quill of the feather. And 

 as a still further example from familiar birds, 

 the prettily sculptured and porcelain-like eggs 



Fig. 90. 



E^s of a fowl parasite, x 2q diameter.s 



of the parasite of the Peacock are shown in 

 Fig. 92. 



The living matter contained in the tinv eo-o-s 

 of insects is protected by three external coats. 

 Beside the shell proper there is a delicate inner 

 covering, and on the outside there is usually 

 added a layer of material secreted from special 

 glands at the time of depositing. This latter 

 sometimes forms a coat for one egg, or a common 

 capsule for a number, for all insects do not deposit 



