CH. II.] METAMORPHOSES OF INSECTS. 35 



exclusion of the insect from the egg represented the 

 first of these events, that consequently while in the 

 larva state they still continue a kind of foetus, and 

 that being in the pupa state enveloped in a fluid an- 

 alogous to the liquor amnii, the true birth of the in- 

 sect does not take place until it is excluded in the 

 form of a butterfly. Reaumur, in his eighth me- 

 moir, has started an interesting idea, that not only 

 does the chrysalis represent the egg of a bird, but 

 that the caterpillar itself may be likewise regarded 

 as an egg of an extraordinary kind, endowed with 

 organs of motion and nutrition. 



Other naturalists founding their observations upon 

 the circumstances of the insect being capable of 

 reproducing its species on becoming a butterfly or 

 beetle, &c., and of its having now attained its full 

 size, consider that this state is analogous to the full 

 growth of the higher animals after their arrival at 

 puberty. 



This leads us to notice an error of very common 

 occurrence among those who have paid but little at- 

 tention to insects. We have been repeatedly asked, 

 on showing our cabinet of insects to persons of this 

 class, and pointing out insects of diff'erent sizes ap- 

 pearing at first sight very similar, what was the use 

 of keeping such a number of specimens of the same 

 species, many of which had evidently not yet ar- 

 rived at their full size 1 We have given a double 

 reason by way of answer, informing our querists," in 

 the first place, that as soon as insects acquire per- 

 fect wings they cease to grow, and, in the second, 

 we have pointed out the peculiar traits of the vari- 

 ous distinct but closely allied species ; thus, the 

 white butterflies which sport over our gardens, and 

 devour our cabbages while in the caterpillar state, 

 have been constantly pointed out as instances of 

 the growth of insects of the same species, some not 

 being above an inch and a third across the wings, 

 while others are nearly three inches in expanse ; 



