INTRODUCTION 11 



an inert, apparently lifeless object, having no definite form 

 with which we can compare it with other things, having 

 neither eyes nor ears nor wings nor legs — an object ap- 

 parently of as little interest as a lifeless piece of rock. A 

 few minutes later we behold it again and note with as- 

 tonishment that this apparently inanimate being has been 

 suddenly transformed into the most ethereal of the creat- 

 ures of earth, with an exquisite beauty that cannot fail 

 to attract admiration, with \^^ngs of most delicate struc- 

 ture for flying through the air, with eyes of a thousand 

 facets, with organs of smell that baflBe the ingenuity of man 

 to explain, with vibrant antennae, and a slender tongue 

 adapted to feeding upon the nectar of flowers — the most 

 ambrosial of natural food. So it is not strange that this 

 emergence of a butterfly has long been the theme both of 

 poets and theologians and that it attracts the admiring 

 attention of childhood, youth, and age. 



Fortunately, this change from chrysalis to butterfly may 

 readily be observed by any one who will take a little 

 trouble to rear the caterpillars or to watch chrysalids 

 found outdoors. The precise method of eclosion, as we 

 call this new kind of "hatching," varies somewhat with 

 different species but in general the process is similar 

 in all. 



Those chrysalids which have a light colored outer skin 

 are especially desirable if we would watch this process. 

 One can see through the semi-transparent membrane the 

 developing butterfly within, until finally, just before it is 

 ready to break out, the markings of the wings and body 

 show distinctly. If at this time the chrysalis is placed in 

 the sunshine it is likely to come out at once, so that you can 

 observe it readily. It usually breaks apart over the head 



