The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c8.15

c8.15

The third class, *Pipîlikâs*, ants and the like insects, Dalvana notes, are born of moisture and heat, as well as of eggs, and sometimes burst forth from the ground (भुवमुद्भिद्य जाता उद्भिन्ना—Dalvana). The gnats and mosquitoes (दंशमशकादयः) are also usually placed among the moisture-born. An *aṇḍa* (egg) is described as oval, of the form of a *peśî* (अण्डं पेश्याकारवर्त्तुलं—Dalvaṇa; *cf.* Śrîdhara, *Kandalî*, अण्डं विम्बं तेन वेष्टितं जायते तत् अण्डजं, पृथिवीतिरूपणं).