GILDING OF CHRYSALIDES. 269 



she inscribes mathematical figures* points, lines, angles, tri- 

 angles ; on others, again, hieroglyphic symbols and characters 

 of language ;t and, what is more extraordinary still, registers 

 on others dates in the Christian era.^J 



Lastly, now, for insect gilding, or what bears the name, as 

 exactly resembling in effect that process of adornment. From 

 its appearance most frequently 011 the enclosing cases of but- 

 terflies when in their pupa forms, these have obtained, with 

 the pupse of moths also, the name of Chrysalides and Aurelise, 

 though many of the former and all the latter are destitute of 

 this decoration. For the most part, indeed, (though the rule 

 is not without very pretty exceptions, ) the pupse of moths 

 being hidden from view, also from the light, enclosed in 

 cocoons, or buried under earth or within trunks of trees, are 

 of various browns, or of a dirty white. The angular and 

 exposed chrysalides of butterflies are, on the contrary, generally 

 gaily coloured. That of the common " Cabbage," something 

 resembling its caterpillar, is greenish-yellow, spotted with 

 black; some are red and black, others green. As if, while 

 even in their darkest state of imprisonment and inactivity, 

 these lovers of sunshine required the light as a very essential 

 to their being, they hang suspended within its influence, and 



* Acrocinus longimanus. f Phisia gamma (7). 



J Argynnis Aylaia, Lathonia, &c., on the under side of the wings near the 

 margin. 



In Catocala Sponsa the chrysalis is lilac ; in C. Poeta, blue ; in Abraxas 

 grossulariata, black and yellow. That of a pretty orange and brown moth, 

 which, as a green looping caterpillar, feeds upon the rose, is of a bright green. 



B. 2 



