XXVI. 



A BUDGET OF CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT CHRYSALIDS 



ExAMD^^E any butterfly chrysalis you please, and 

 you will find on either side of the head, close to 

 the base of the antennae and partially overlapped 

 by them, a smooth crescent-shaped belt, which 

 generally contrasts rather strongly with the rough- 

 ened surfaces about it. It corresponds closely in 

 position with the curving row of simple ocelli found 

 on the head of the caterpillar, where it is generally 

 marked by a distinct impression ; it also lies across 

 the middle of the convexity which marks the posi- 

 tion of the compound eye of the inclosed butterfly ; 

 the convex case of the rest of the eye is rough and 

 coarse like the chrysalis skin generally, but this 

 curved ribbon is smooth and thin, and regularly 

 embossed, each gentle elevation apparently corre- 

 sponding to the centre of a facet of a compound 

 eye. Now it has been suggested that this belt is 

 a window through which the prisoner may look 

 abroad ; what end this woidd serve is not ex- 



