10 
hidian Forest Records. 
[ VoL. 1. 
The Report is as follows : — 
Note on the life hi tory of the lac in connection with questions suggested by 
the Inspector General of Forests for investigation. 
i. The period that elapses between the swarming of each brood 
and their attachment to twigs 
ing and attachment. extends to not more than 12 hours. 
From observation it was found that 
the larvae from cells attached to a twig do not all swarm out 
at one and the same time, but that the swarming goes on for 
about 20 days. Directly the larvae swarm, they move about 
in search of food and if fortunate soon attach themselves 
to twgs ; others less fortunate die in numbers in their endea- 
vours to find a suitable attachment and food. 
ii. (a) It does not acchmatize itself by moving about the lac during 
the day and returning to the cell 
at night. The idea that led to 
this statement was due to the verv 
«/ 
few insects observed as evening set in ; this was found to 
be due to numbers swarming out in the early morning and 
moving off the lac or being blown off it by the wind. The 
swarming generally takes place very early in the morning, 
especially on a good sunny one. 
[h) The insect, while moving about, and in search of an attach- 
„ , . ^ , ment and food, does not feed on 
No food till attachment. . 
anything. 
iii. (a) The lac-exudation begins directly after attachment, though 
the larvae are not themselves com- 
Secretion when begun. pletely covered over; this is probably 
done to protect itself against the weather. This first incrus- 
tation is so very fine that it is not noticeab’e with the naked 
eye. It goes on increasing very slowly. 
(6) After a period of three months 
Period of entire covering , i • , • i i i 
of insect with incrustation. insect IS completely covered 
over with the incrustation. 
iv. (a) Impregnation takes place after a period of two and a half 
Impregnation when months from the time of attach- 
performed. ment of the insect. 
