CHRYSALIS. 



285 



CH. XVII.] 



repetition of its former action it gradually ascends 

 to the point which it wishes to reach ; when safely 

 landed, it disembarrasses itself of the silk which 

 nad been collected between its legs. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



CHRYSALIS, OR AURELIA. 



Caterpillar when about to change into a Chrysalis fastens itself to a 

 Leaf or Stem — Spins a little Web— Gets rid of its old Cage— Sus- 

 pends itself by a Girth or Band formed of Silk. 



The insect, having lived its appointed time in the 

 caterpillar state, and incapable of perpetuating its 

 species, prepares for those wonderful changes of 

 form and functions which are destined to end in the 

 production of a creature perfect in its kind. If a 

 human being, surrounded by enemies eager to injure 

 or destroy him, felt that he should fall into a state 



