TI1K CYCLE OF 



15 



Born, bred, with just one instinct, that of growth : 



Her quality was, caterpillar-like, 



To ail-unerringly select a leaf 



And without intermission feed her fill, 



Become the Painted Peacock, or belike 



The Brimstone-wing, when time of year should suit ; 



And 'tis a sign (say entomologists) 



Of sickness, when the creature stops its meal 



One minute, either to look up at heaven, 



Or turn aside for change of aliment. 



Broivnuu/ " Red Cotton Night-Cap Country." 



FIG. 16. Caterpillars of black swallowtail feeding on wild celery. 

 Photographed from life. 



During the first five or six days of its existence this 

 caterpillar becomes three-fourths of an inch long, black 

 or very dark brown, excepting a white band around the 

 sixth and seventh segments. It now prefers the tender 

 flowers, eating all the parts but the yellow petals, which 

 drop off untouched. (See frontispiece.) 



Throughout the caterpillar's growth at certain periods 

 an interesting process occurs. It sheds the cuticular 

 skin, an action frequently called molting. This gen- 

 erally takes place during the early morning hours. 



