JllSTORY OF INSECTS. 65 



204. At last, wlien the eggs are exhausted, the 

 under skin of the body meets the upper skin, and 

 adheres to it ; the mother dies ; and her body, like 

 the roof of a house, protects the inhabitants below 

 from the inclemency of the weather. 



205. After a few days from the death of the 

 mother, the eggs hatch, and become lively little 

 animals, of a bright red colour ; these devour the 

 cottony gum among which they are born : after a 

 few days, they manage to lift up the edge of their 

 covering, and away they run, helter-skelter. This 

 active life lasts but a short time ; they soon get 

 hungry, pierce the rind of the twigs, anchor 

 themselves by the beak, and, settling down to 

 serious eating, become fixtures for life. 



