MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 185 



for obtaining handsome and perfect specimens for the 

 cabinet. They may be raised, however, in the same 

 manner as silk-worms are generally raised and which 

 we shall presently describe. 



As soon as the cold of autumn deprives the trees 

 and shrubs of their foliage, all caterpillars disappear, 

 either metamorphosing themselves into cocoons, or if 

 not } T et ready for such a change, concealing themselves 

 under the ground. In the following spring as soon as 

 the new leaves appear on the trees, they come out 

 from their caverns in the hollow trees or the crevices 

 of the rocks, and with a host of new ones that issue 

 from the eggs which were deposited in the previous 

 autumn, they commence their ravages, devouring all 

 the new leaves and shoots within their reach. 



After the caterpillars have cast their skin several 

 times and are full grown, they metamorphose them- 

 selves into an immovable cocoon, (chrysalis, aurelia, 

 pupa) which eats no more, and under the horny skin 

 of which may almost always be recognised the wings 

 and other members of the future butterfly or Moth. 

 Many of these come out after a few weeks, during the 

 summer, again lay their eggs from which proceed oth- 

 er caterpillars, which latter generally pass the winter 

 as cocoons, exposed to rain, snow and the severest 

 cold without the least injury. 



A few butterflies, however, are not unfrequently 

 15 



