THE PUPA OB CHEYSALIS 49 



nut fibre or finely sifted soil and let it remain quite undisturbed tor 

 a few hours or days, and you will probably find that, by occasional 

 movements of its body, it has made a slight depression in its bed, 

 and lies partly submerged. I have known some chrysalides to 

 completely bury themselves in this way during the course of a day 

 or two, and others to partly expose themselves after having been 

 lightly covered. Others again, I have observed, will move smartly 

 if a strong light is suddenly turned on them. Many, too, certainly 

 appear to have a strong objection to exposure to the direct rays 

 of a hot sun ; for, when thus exposed, they will struggle per- 

 sistently, as if to work their bodies into some shady corner. I 

 would not advise a young entomologist to try this experiment, 

 however, if he values the pupai he possesses, for direct sunlight 

 is midoubtedly very harmful to many species, and perhaps it is 

 to all. 



Some chrysalides are not nearly so active as has just been 

 represented ; in fact, there are many which seem to show no signs 

 of life dm'ing the greater part of the time spent in that state. But 

 in all, whether apparently active or not, certain important internal 

 changes are at work. We have already noticed that, even in the 

 last days of the larval existence, some of the oi'gans of the future 

 imago are to be traced. But these are as yet imperfectly develoijed. 

 We have also observed that a continuation of these changes, 

 gradually carried on, would be impossible in a voracious feeder ; so 

 the insect, now fully grown, and no longer requiring a suppty of 

 food, settles down in perfect quiet, submitting itself quite passively 

 to any further changes that nature may demand. 



It has already suffered the loss of its claspers. Its wonderful 

 jaws that did so much damage (for good or evil as the case maybe) 

 to the vegetable world are now gone, and the bulky digestive 

 apparatus has rapidly dwindled to useless dimensions. These and 

 other changes, already in progi-ess, have to be perfected while the 

 creature is in a restful and helpless condition, though they may 

 often be retarded or even suspended during cold weatjier when 

 progress would certainly bring it to an untimely end. 



But now the grandest of all these transformation scenes is 

 nigh at hand. The protective skin is already loosening from the 

 almost perfect imago, and consequently feels softer and far more 

 yielding than it did when in close contact with the body : the 

 swaddled butterfly or moth (for such the pupa is) is slowly pre- 

 paring to throw off its imprisoning garb. The wings and large 



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