I have those all the time too. And once I had one on a potted plant (milkweed) inside the pool enclosure, and a little bit later noticed a small, damselfly type insect there and the "seed" open. The insect was sitting almost like the BFs do when they are drying their wings, so I think he had just emerged from that. So that is my theory, as I did not actually see the thing emerge.

Appears to be the cocoon of the incredible Cecropia moth, or perhaps the Polyphemus moth. Anyway, it's the cocoon of one of the Saturniid moths, known as the silk worms or Royal moths. VERY spectacular moths and caterpillars, all of them.

To say I am planting in 2009 I guess is rather premature but I am planting a wish list in 2009. I am most certainly a novice and have been combing this and other websites for a wide variety of tomatoes. When I do plant it will most likely need to be a small garden with vegetables only for my own enjoyment and sustenance. Any advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. My dream garden is awaiting in the future... an organic block style raised bed sort of thing. The list (I keep adding but it needs to be shortened) Yellow: Willard Wynn Hybrid: Mountain Pride F1, Ramapo F1 Oxheart: Anna Russian Cherry: Black Cherry Orange: Kellog's Breakfast Bi-color: Hillbilly Beefsteak: Brandywine Sudduth's Strain, Marianna's Peace, Mortgage Lifter Black: Cherokee Purple By the way I am a sucker for the cool names - I haven't actually tried any of these. I grew up with Big Boy tomatoes and other more "traditional" plain looking ones. Thanks, Rachael

Yes, it's illegal as heck- AND, artificial incubation takes time, turning and moisture. The egg needs to be turned during incubation, as well as given moisture regularly. Not knowing which species you have doesn't help because when it does hatch, you won't know what to feed it, if it's altricial (helpless). If it's a precocial species (eyes open, fluffy and nearly walking, such as the case with ducklings, goslings, killdeer, quail and others), then getting it grains and insects of a natural quality will be difficult. In a desert environment, I wouldn't guess turtle. I might go for tortoise, but the egg isn't round, is it? Most turtle and tortoise eggs are round and soft like leather. Your best bet is, as everyone has said, to leave it alone. It's so hard not to want to help; it's an innate tendency within all of us to want to help. (Personally I think God put that within us so we wouldn't abandon our young or someone who is hurt). It's so strong in some of us that we become animal rescuers. In my case, I was a wildlife rehabilitator from 1986-2004. So I will repeat: hatching eggs artificially is extremely difficult, even when we *know* the species, without the proper incubator, without knowing the species, and without the right baby bird foods on hand. . . . Feather