Q-J METAMORPHOSES. 



caterpillar with that of the butterfly, you would wit- 

 ness changes even more extraordinary. In the former 

 you would find some thousands of muscles, which in 

 the latter are replaced by others of a form and struc- 

 ture entirely different. Nearly the whole body of the 

 caterpillar is occupied by a capacious stomach. In the 

 butterfly this has become converted into an almost im- 

 perceptible thread-like viscus ; and the abdomen is now 

 filled by two large packets of eggs, or other organs 

 not visible in the first state. In the former, two spi- 

 rally-convoluted tubes were filled with a silky gum ; 

 in the latter, both tubes and silk have almost totally 

 vanished ; and changes equally great have taken place 

 in the economy and structure of the nerves and other 

 organs. 



What a surprising transformation ! Nor was this 

 all. The change from one form to the other was not 

 direct. An intermediate state not less singular inter- 

 vened. After casting its skin even to its very jaws 

 several times, and attaining its full growth, the cater- 

 pillar attached itself to a leaf by a silken girth. Its 

 body greatly contracted : its skin once more split 

 asunder, and disclosed an oviform mass, without ex- 

 terior mouth, eyes, or limbs, and exhibiting no other 

 symptom of life than a slight motion when touched. 

 In this state of death-like torpor, and without tasting 

 food, the insect existed for several months, until at 

 length the tomb burst, and out of a case not more than 

 an inch long, and a quarter of an inch in diameter^ 

 proceeded the butterfly before you, Avhich covers a sur- 

 fece of nearly four inches square. 



Almost every insect which you see has undergone a 



