THE EGGS OF INSECTS. 53 



this act of maternal devotion, seem proof against 

 injury by immersion in the water, which, at another 

 time, would probably destroy them, or, at all events, 

 render them unfit for flight. 



Some kinds of Grasshoppers, in an analogous 

 manner, by means of a similar but stronger tail-like 

 appendage, deposit their eggs at some depth in the 

 earth, where their larvse are destined to pass the 

 first portion of their development. 



A family of Flies, known as Ichneumons, by 

 means of a sharp, lance-like instrument with which 

 they are furnished, actually deposit their eggs in 

 the bodies of certain Caterpillars, Avhose skin they 

 pierce for this purpose, and whose flesh is to serve 

 as the food of the young Ichneumons, who take 

 care not to destroy any vital part of the Caterpillar, 

 which is to continue to exist, and keep making flesh 

 for them to consume. He perishes, however, at 

 last ; and so, vast numbers of certain species are 

 destroyed, which would otherwise very soon become 

 a perfect pest to our gardens. 



The "growth" of the eggs of Ichneumons has 

 been observed, and also of Cynips, as well as the 

 eggs of Ants, and others previously named ; and it 

 should be noted here that insects in the egg, as well 

 as in the Caterpillar state, are subject to the attacks 



