50 THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 



shrub on which it first makes its appearance. In size 

 and color caterpillars differ greatly from each other. They 

 are of all tints, from dull gray or brown to the most 

 brilliant combinations of green, red, and yellow. The cat- 

 erpillars of the moth are almost always larger than those 

 of our common butterflies, some of them measuring' three 

 and four inches in length. Many species are covered with 

 warts and bristles, and present a very ugly appearance. 



"A caterpillar changes its skin several times, each time 

 generally assuming a coat of a new color. Some cater- 

 pillars are born black, and after appearing in dresses of 

 white, red, and orange, finally end their existence in a 

 delicate coat of pea-green. Before each change the cater- 

 pillar leaves off eating and remains motionless a certain 

 length of time. It sometimes suspends itself from a twig 

 by a slight web, where it hangs until the old and dry 

 skin crackles open along the back, when by various twist- 

 ings and turnings the caterpillar frees itself from its old 

 coat, and crawls off to commence eating again. 



"When the caterpillar is full grown and ready to assume 

 the pupa or chrysalis state, it seeks out a place of conceal- 

 ment and fastens itself to the under surface of some object, 

 where it usually hangs by the hind legs.. The skin then 

 parts on the back and the covering of the chrysalis is 

 formed by the drying and hardening of a transparent fluid 

 immediately under the skin. The insect then appears as 



