PRACTICAL PAPERS—PLANT LICE. 
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half an inch in length, which hardened instantly, on the sum¬ 
mit of which she fixes an egg. This being repeated, from 10 
20 eggs are thus placed on slender threads. The eggs when 
first deposited are pale green, becoming opaque before hatching. 
Now the object of thus placing the eggs on these hairs is evi¬ 
dent. Were they placed in reach the first larva that escaped 
from an egg would devour the remainder. So nature has well 
guarded the continuance of the species. 
The larvce of the various specihs of lace wings differ con¬ 
siderably in color. They are mostly of a reddish brown, light¬ 
er on the sides, with a dark line down the back. The body is 
long, wrinkled, short hairs projecting from each segment; has 
six legs, and is armed with a pair of formidable, sickle 
shaped jaws, which project conspicuously in front. Thus 
armed these lions hurry about in one continual state of activity 
day and night in quest of plant-lice, their legitimate prey. 
They seize the lice with their tongs, and elevate them, till they 
have sucked every particle of substance from the bodies, then 
giving the skins a toss, resume their search for more victims. 
It is astonishing how many lice are destroyed by a single aphis- 
lion. 
Ilaving attained its growth, the lion makes the last meal an 
excessive one, remains torpid for a day or two, then spins a 
circular cocoon in which the insect is entombed during the win¬ 
ter. The first warm day of spring calls them out. So open¬ 
ing a small door, in this temporary grave, emerges a beautiful 
Lady Lace-wing, dressed up in the most extravagant finery. 
Lady Birds. —Family Coccinellidce , order Coleoptera , small, 
nearly round beetles, ornamented mostly with spots of vari¬ 
ous colors on the elytra. 
There are about one hundred species described as belonging 
to the United States. In my collection alone there are no less 
than twenty species, obtained near Bacine. So Wisconsin is 
not deficient in these valuable insects. These beetles deposit 
their eggs in clusters on the under*side of leaves on various 
plants. Their eggs are of a shining, golden yellow, resembling 
