128 



SECTION IL— LARViE* 

 Chapter VI. 



Structure of Caterpillars, Grubs, and Maggots, 



It is reported by Boerhaave, in his life of Swamrp^r- 

 dam, that when the Grand Duke of Tuscany was 

 visiting the curiosities of Holland, in 1668, he found 

 nothing more worthy of his admiration than the na- 

 turalist's account of the structure of caterpillars, — for 

 Swammerdani, by the skilful management of instru- 

 ments of wonderful delicacy and fineness, showed 

 the prince in what manner the future butterfly lies 

 neatly folded up in the caterpillar, like a flower in 

 the unexpanded bud. He was, indeed, so struck 

 with tliis and other wonders of the insect world, dis- 

 closed to him by the great naturalist, that he made 

 him a princely otTer to induce him to reside at his 

 court; but Swammerdam, from feelings of indepen- 

 dence, modestly declined to accept it, preferring to 

 continue his delightful studies at home, 'i'he facts 

 which thus struck the Duke with admiration we shall 

 now endeavour, with the aid of Swammerdam, to 

 trace. But, before we proceed, it may not be out of 

 place to advert to some very novel views which have 



* It may be proper to repeat here, that an insect when hatched 

 from the egg, is called by naturalists larva ; and in popular lan- 

 guage, ^.cattrpiUar, or grub, if furnished with feet, and Amaggotf 

 wonn, or (pintle, ii without feet. 



