THE EGGS OF INSECTS. 59 



It is evident, therefore, that they absorb oxygen ; 

 and the mode in which this is effected has led to 

 many speculations, which it would occupy too much 

 space to describe here. It may be remarked, how- 

 ever, en passant, as a curious fact, that the eggs are 

 endowed with a power of breathing, even though it 

 be by some very simple process of absorption, which 

 bears a strong analogy to that enjoyed by the larva 

 after its escape from the shell ; which thus establishes 

 another link in the progress of their metamorphosis, 

 showing still more clearly that each successive state 

 is but a development of the former, and not an 

 arbitrary change, as was once thought. 



The natural time Avhich elapses between the 

 time of laying and hatching is very various. In 

 Bees it is only three days, as ascertained by more 

 careful and continual observations than have ever 

 been applied to any other class of insects. These 

 observations commenced at a very early period — for 

 the ancients knew, comparatively speaking, almost 

 as much about Bees as we do — in consequence of the 

 valuable instinct of these insects in collecting 

 honey, and the ease with which they may be domes- 

 ticated, and the fruits of their industry taken from 

 them to supply the cravings of human luxury. The 

 eggs of Lady -birds are hatched in five or six days ; 



