INTRODUCTION. 



The Order LEPIDOPTERA of Linnaeus comprises the 

 insects commonly known as Butterflies and Moths. Both 

 Butterflies and Moths are at once distinguished from other 

 insects by their wings being covered with scales. This 

 character gave rise to the name of the Order, the word 

 Lepidoptera being derived from the Greek AcTrt?, a scale, 

 and TTxepov, a wing. No Lepidopteron ever has the wings 

 entirely without scales, but in both divisions of the Order 

 species occur with the greater portion of the wings denuded 

 and transparent. Some anomalous females among the Moths 

 are entirely wingless, and others have rudimentary wings too 

 small to enable them to fly. Lepidoptera, in common with 

 several other insects, after their exclusion from the Ova or 

 Eggs, pass through three distinct states of existence. They 

 are disclosed as Larvce or Caterpillars ; when full grown 

 they assume the form of Pupce, or Chrysalides ; and thence 

 emerge in the Imago or perfect state. Though these three 

 states are mentioned as distinct conditions of existence, it 

 must not be imagined that the animal is suddenly metamor- 

 phosed from one to the other. The development throughout 

 is very gradual from the Embryo to the Lnago, well-defined 

 though the three assumed forms be. This will at once be 

 perceived in a brief outline of the insect's life. The little 

 Larva, when disclosed from the Ovum deposited by its 

 parent, contains within itself the embryo form of the Perfect 

 Insect. It immediately commences to eat the leaves or 

 other portions of a plant, and increases in size as rapidly as 

 it devours. This growth soon necessitates, as in many other 

 of the lower classes of animals, a change of skin. The 

 Larva ceases to eat for a short period ; the skin fades in 

 colour, wrinkles, and finally splits on the back, and through 

 the crack emerges the Caterpillar, in a new skin, a stage 

 nearer perfection. As soon as the new covering has hardened, 

 the Larva recommences to feed, and continues to do so till 

 the skin again becomes too small to contain its occupant, 

 and has to be rejected as before. This process is undergone 



B 



