TEACHER'S CORNER 271 



last caterpillar skin is shed. How does the insect get free from the molted skin? 



Describe the chrysalis. What is its general shape? What is its color? 

 Is it easily seen? Can you see where the wings are, within the chrysalis? 

 How is the chrysalis supported? 



How does the chrysalis look when the butterfly is about to emerge? Where 

 does it break open? How does the butterfly look at first? 



The Butterfly 



What is the ground color of the wings? What are the colors of the markings? 

 Describe the hind wings. What colors are on them that are not on the front 

 wings? How do the markings on the under sides of the wings differ from those 

 above? How does the ground color differ from the upper side? What is the 

 color of the body of the butterfly? 



When the butterfly alights, how does it hold its wings? Do you think it is 

 as conspicuous when its wings are folded as when they are open? 



Watch the butterfly getting nectar from a blossom and describe the tongue. 

 Where is the tongue when not in use? Describe the antennae. How do they 

 differ from the antennae of moths? 



A Note on the Hibernation of the Pupa of the Sphinx Moth 



J. Andrew Drushel 



Harris Teachers College 



Early in October, 1916, several fully grown caterpillars (the 

 so-called tomato worms) of the five spotted sphinx (phlegethontius 

 celeus) were brought from the Harris Teacher's College garden to 

 the class room of our nature-study classes for observation. Shortly 

 afterward opportunity was provided for transformation into pupa 

 stage by placing two of them in a pasteboard box (inside dimen- 

 sions 7^ in. X 4>^ in. x 3 in.) full of moist garden soil. The lid of 

 the box had several air holes in it. 



Several hours later one of the caterpillars buried itself, the other 

 escaped. The question then was asked: Will keeping the box 

 during the winter in the room under ordinary school room condi- 

 tions hasten the transformation from pupa to imago? In other 

 words to what extent is temperature a factor in determining the 

 period of hibernation ? 



The box was kept covered. The soil was occasionally moistened. 

 At various times enough soil was removed to permit examination 

 of the pupa, with a view to determine whether it was dead or alive. 

 On May 22, 191 7, a well formed imago appeared. 



In this case it would appear that ordinary room temperature did 

 not hasten the transformation from pupa to imago. 



