264 Metamorphoses of Insects, 



without winos, and in shape usually somewhat like worms. This 

 Linne called the larva state, and an insect when in it a larva^ 

 adopting a Latin word signifying a 7nask, because he considered 

 the real insect while under this form to be as it were masked. In 

 the English lauo-uao-e we have no common term that applies to 

 the second state of all insects, though we have several for that of 

 different tribes. Thus we call the coloured and often hairy larvae 

 of butterflies and moths caterpillars ; the white and more 

 compact larvre of flies, many beetles, &c., grubs or maggots ;* 

 and the depressed larvae of many other insects worjns. The twa 

 former terms I shall sometimes use in a similar sense, rejecting 

 the last, which ought to be confined to true vermes ; but I shall 

 more commonly adopt Linne's term, and call insects in their 

 second state larvce. 



In this period of their life, during which they eat voraciously 

 and cast their skin several times, insects live a shorter or longer 

 period, some only a few days or weeks, others several months or 

 years. They then cease eating ; fijc themselves in a secure place; 

 their skin separates once more, and dis(;loses an oblong body, and 

 they have now attained the third state of their existence. 



From the swathed appearance of most insects in this state, in 

 which they do not badly resemble in miniature a child trussed up 

 like a mummy in swaddling clothes, according to the barbarous 

 fashion once prevalent here, and still retained in many parts of the 

 Continent, Linne has called it the pupa state, and an insect when 

 under this foiMu a pupa^ — terms which will be here adopted in the 

 same sense. In this state most insects eat no food ; are incapable 

 of locomotion ; and, if opened, seem filled with a watery fluid, in 

 which no distinct organs can be traced. Externally, however, the 

 shape of the pupre of difierent tribes varies considerably, and 

 diff"erent names have been applied to them. 



Those of the beetle and bee tribes are covered with a 

 membraneous skin, enclosing in separate and distinct sheaths the 

 external organs, as the antennae, legs, and wings, which are conse- 



* Gentila, or gentlea, is a synonymous word emploped by our old authors, 

 but is now obsolete, except with anglers. Thus Tusser, in a passage 

 pointed out to me by Sir Joseph Banks : — 



" Rewerd not thy sheep when ye take of his cote 

 With twitches and patches as brode as a grote ; 

 Let not such ungentlenesse happen to thine, 

 Least fly with her gentils do make it to pine.'* 



