330 Insects' Eggs. 



The lid completely occupies the top, and in a smaller inner circle 

 the micropyle is situated. The latter is better displayed when 

 the lid is separated from the egg, as shown at a. 



The White butterfly (Pieris brassicce), Fig. 13. The shape 

 of the egg is very like the basket employed in lobster fishing, 

 a rarer form than any of the preceding. It is conical, and of 

 considerable length ; the lid forms the base, which is slightly 

 recurved upon the sides, and a regular series of ribs with cross 

 bars run from end to end. The eggs are cemented at the 

 base to the back or leaf of the plant in symmetrical order. In 

 colour they are primrose. 



The Brown-hair streak butterfly (Thecla betulce), Fig. 15, 

 presents a perfectly white, exquisitely formed, sub-conical egg; 

 at first sight it might be compared to a beautiful ivory-turned 

 ball in miniature. It is covered by a series of deep indenta- 

 tions, or pits, with regularly projecting spines. The pole of 

 this egg dips inward towards the micropyle, forming the funnel- 

 shaped indent spoken of by Leuckart. It is cemented by its 

 broader base to the leaf. 



I may remark that the specimens used for illustration were not 

 specially selected, nor are they intended to be type representa- 

 tives of the eggs of a class of insects which constitute a very 

 large proportion of the most charmiug denizens of our gardens, 

 fields, and forests. These eggs are taken from a very limited 

 collection, and in no way do they convey an adequate notion of 

 the variety and beauty of objects, wonderfully and curiously 

 fashioned, no two of the species of which are to be found exactly 

 alike. My thanks are due to my friend, Mrs. Maples, for the 

 accurate and beautiful plate which her skilful pencil has enabled 

 me to place before my readers. 



The subscribers to the Intellectual Observer will be glad 

 to know that they can obtain most of these eggs from Mr. J. T. 

 Norman, of City Road. 



A LIST OP THE ILLUSTRATIONS. 



1. — Abraxas grossularia, Magpie moth. 



2. — Aspilates gilvaria, Straw belle. 



3. — Examis ypsilon, the Dingy shears. 



4. — Pheosia clictcc a, Swallow prominent. 



5. — Ennomos erosaria, Thorn moth. 



6. — Ourapteryx sambucaria, Swallow tailed. 



7. — DiacriHxa mssula, Buff tiger. 



8. — Erannis defoliaria, Mottled umber. 



9. — Jhjlophila ■prasinana, Silver lines. 



