LEAF-INSECTS 



271 



studied by several entomologists, and their resemblance to seeds 

 excites general astonishment. IVIurray describes the egg-capsule 

 of Phyllium scythe, and saj^s : " It looks imcommonly like some 

 seeds ; if the edges of the seed of Mirahilis jalapa were rubbed 

 off, the seed might be mistaken for the egg. The ribs are all 

 placed at equal distances, except two, which are wider apart, and 

 the space between them flatter, so that on the egg falling it rolls 

 over till it comes to this flatter side, and there lies. At the 



top there is a little conical lid, fitting very tightly to the mouth. 

 . . . On removing the lid we see a beautiful porcelain chamber 



Fig. 158.— Portion of a longitudinal section of the egg capsule of Phyllium crurifoUum : 

 a, external ; b, middle ; c, inner zones ; d, elongate alveoli. x 100. (After 

 Henneguy.) 



of a pale French-white colour, bearing a close resemblance to the 

 texture of a hen's egg, but it is not calcareous, and has more the 

 appearance of enamel." The eggs of F. crurifoUum have been 

 examined by Joly and Henneguy ; their account confirms that 

 of ^ilurray. Henneguy adds that a prominent lozenge on the 

 egg represents the surface by which the achene of an umbelliferous 

 plant is united to the column, and that the micropyles are placed 

 on this lozenge. The minute structure of the capsule has also 

 been examined by several entomologists ; and Henneguy,^ who 

 has described and figured some of the details of the capsule of 

 P. crurifoliuvi, says, " Almost every botanist, on examining for 



^ Bull. Soc. PJulomathique (8), ii. p. 18. 



