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Home Nature-Study Course. 



The life-history of butterflies consists of four stages: 

 First. — The eggs which are laid upon the food plant by the mother 



butterfly ; these eggs 

 are often exquisite in 

 color and beautifully 

 ribbed and pitted so 

 that when seen 

 through the micro- 

 scope they look like 

 gems. 



Second. — The cat- 

 erpillars which hatch 

 from these eggs and 

 which feed upon the 

 food plant until fully 

 developed. Before 

 reaching their full 

 growth, the caterpil- 

 lars shed their skeleton-skin four or five times ; often this change of skin 

 makes a change in the appearance and in the color of the caterpillar. 



Third. — The pupa state or chrysalis. When the caterpillar is full 

 grown it sheds its old skin and appears in a very different form, that 

 of the chrpsalis or pupa. The pup?e of the butterflies are never pro- 

 tected by a cocoon as are the pupse of moths. This is one of the chief 

 differences between moths and butterflies. The caterpillar, before it 

 changes to a pupa, makes a button of silk and sometimes also a loop 

 of silk by which the pupa is suspended. As the insect when in the 

 pupa or chrysalis state is helpless and unable to move, it is, therefore, 

 an easy prey to birds and other enemies ; thus the chrysalis is usually 

 inconspicuous and placed in some position where it is not easily detected 

 by even the keenest eyes. 



Fourth. — After a time the pupa skin is shed and from this comes the 

 winged insect in all its beauty of color and form. 



Caterpillar of black swallowtail in two stages of growth 

 The larger one has the scent organs protruding. 



HOW TO STUDY THE BUTTERFLIES 



There are three ways to study butterflies : 



First. — The caterpillars may be found on their food plant and 

 reared indoors. This requires a great deal of care in providing fresh 

 food and in looking after the wants of the little prisoners. This is the 

 best way to study the insects, as we thus become acquainted with the 

 caterpillar and its habits and also the chrysalis ; and when finally the 

 winged insect emerges we may become familiar with its colors and 



