THE BUTTERFLY HUNTERS. 53 



weeks, but if the pupa state occurs late in the Autumn, 

 the chrysalis will remain closed until the following Sum- 

 mer. Sometimes when I have found chrysalids and kept 

 them in a warm room, the butterfly has appeared in the 

 middle of Winter. When the time for the change comes, 

 the chrysalis swells and bursts, and from out of the dry 

 husk the butterfly creeps forth and enters upon the third 

 and last period of its existence. At first its wings are 

 damp and crumpled. It perches on its old home until 

 the air has dried and strengthened them, and then flies 

 away to enjoy its short life in fluttering about from flower 

 to flower. 



"I don't think of anything more I can say that would 

 interest you at present. If any of you wish to study the 

 subject more carefully, you can turn to your books. There 

 you will find many interesting details about the color, size, 

 and habits of the caterpillars of different butterflies, and 

 about the various ways in which they become chrysalids, 

 assuming the appearance of utter lifelessness, while retain- 

 ing the germ of life within. If any of you have any 

 questions to ask," said the teacher, in conclusion, " I shall 

 be very glad to answer them." 



"I should like to know if the butterflies eat leaves, like 

 the caterpillars ? " asked Frank, who had amused himself 

 by swinging his little feet back and forth all the while 

 the teacher had been talking. 



