THE EGGS OF INSECTS. 41 



plants and the eggs of insects. Both are, indeed, 

 living germs, destined to be developed in a much 

 more closely analogous manner than is generally 

 supposed. 



The pretty bright green insect, Chrysopa Perla, 

 with its transparent wings flushed with opaline 

 tinges, which is so commonly seen fluttering about 

 the shady walks of gardens in tbe twilight of 

 summer evenings, lays an egg of very peculiar 

 elliptic form, and provides for its security in a most 

 singular manner, to be described in another place. 



The eggs of a common Dipterous insect resemble 

 a series of minute almond kernels, glued together 

 longitudinally and touching at the widest part ; and 

 those of Culex Pipiens are shaped like a long slender 

 Greek amphora, the opening of which, in the form 

 of an enlarged rim, is quite clearly defined; and 

 an endless variety of forms, angular or spherical, 

 might be described did my space permit. 



In colour, the eggs of insects are of all tones, 

 though more commonly of some shade of wliite. 

 Those of the Chrysopa Perla, however, are orange ; 

 and some are blue, a few are red or green, and 

 others, again, are of varied colours and markings. 

 Many, too, change their colour after they are first 

 laid, those of Eiidromis Versicolor being at first 



