49 
like the one shown in figure 3, A. In others the egg laying gradually 
rises to a maximum and then declines, as shown by B, of the same 
figure. 
DEPOSITION OF INFERTILE EGGS. 
All of the data given above are records of deposition of fertilized 
eggs. In the case of one female which had not mated and was hence 
laying infertile eggs, 1,723 were deposited, showing that the growth 
of eggs in the ovaries must apparently go on without any reference 
to fertilization. 
EGGS REMAINING IN THE OVARIES AT DEATH. 
In nearly all female moths at death there are in the egg tubules of 
the ovaries a number of full}^ formed eggs. This number varies from 
a very few to over 300 in different individuals. About 70 may be 
375- 
350- 
325- 
300- 
275- 
250- 
225- 
200- 
175- 
150 - 
- .^75 
1 
■^cin 
/ 
-325 
- "^00 
/ 
/ 
- 275 
/ 
250 
/ 
\ 
99^ 
/ 
\ 
S 
200 
/ / 
\ 
\, 
y 
\ 
\ 
^^ 
y 
150 
1?"^ - 
/ 
I 
\ 
^ 
\ 
lOc 
100 - 
/ 
/ 
1 
\ 

"^^.^ 
\ 
^ 
\ 
100 
75 - 
A 
/ 
\ 
\^ 
\ 
75 
50 
25 
50 - 
B 
\ 
25 - 
\ 
f 
EGGS - 
2 3.4 i 
i 6 7 f 
£ 
10 II 12 
EGGS 
DAYS 
Fig. 3.— Diagram showing, A, regular and, B, irregular oviposition curves (original). 
considered a fair average. Besides, there are in the ovaries a number 
of much smaller eggs, in which the 3^olk has not yet been formed. 
These "potential" eggs are much more numerous in females which 
have, laid comparatively few eggs during life, and fewer in others 
which have deposited the full number, varying thus from 2,000 to only 
50 or less. 
EFFECT OF FERTILIZATION ON EGG LAYING, 
Some interesting facts bearing on this matter were observed by Mr. 
Girault in the laboratory. Several females which had been deposit- 
ing infertile eggs were allowed to mate with males, and an accelera- 
