xviii EuROPEAX Butterflies axp Moths. 



of the pupa. The cases of the legs, antennae, and tongue are also longer or shorter, and that of 

 the tongue often forms a knob-like projection at the end, or a separate tube, close to the breast 

 or separated from it, and sometimes convoluted. The abdomen becomes gradually or suddenly 

 narrow towards the end, and its segments represent the nine last segments, or the abdomen of the 

 butterfly. The four first are generally hidden by the wing-cases on the under surface, and the 

 others entirely enclose the body. The last segment has a short, longitudinal impression beneath, 

 and there are two small hooks, separated by an indentation, on the last segment but one in the 

 male sex. The last segment is either rounded or terminated by an obtuse angle, or by a process 

 which has often two or more points, called the " cremaster." There are spiracles, or breathing- 

 holes between the pro-thorax and the meso-thora.x, and on all the segments of the abdomen, 

 except the first and last. There are many variations in the form and covering of pupa;. Many 

 butterflies have two sharp projections in front on the head, or a hatchet-shaped or nose-like pro- 

 jection on the middle of the back, and short spines on the upper surface of the abdomen ; while the 

 pupa; of other groups exhibit no such peculiarities, except that the head is prolonged into a point 

 in some few genera. In the case of species which live in the interior of plants in their larva state, 

 and assume the pupa state there, the abdominal segments have transverse series of short spines or 

 hooks on the upper side, by means of which they push themselves forward when the moth is ready 

 to emerge. The last segment of the abdomen and the cremaster are also generally covered with 

 spines or hooks, or with a varying number of bristles. The pupa is very seldom covered with 

 soft hair or with fine dust. 



Most pupae are dark-coloured, and without any markings. They are seldom pale-coloured ; 

 but the pupae of some butterflies exhibit spots which have often a metallic lustre. 



Duration of the Pupa State.— 1\\\% is variable. Pupa; from which the insect emerges in the 

 same year during which the pupa has been formed usually require from two to six weeks. In warm 

 weather, butterflies frequently emerge from the pupa; in ten days ; but many Lcpidoptera require a 

 longer time than six weeks before the perfect insect is matured. Hybernating pupae require from 

 six to nine months, and it occasionally happens that some pupae, chiefly those of Sphingidtv, do 

 not develop the moth for two or three years. The most remarkable instance of long life 

 in the pupa state is, however, aff"orded by the Small Eggar {Eriogaster Lauestn's), one of the 

 LasiocampidcE. If a brood of this insect be reared, some of the moths will emerge from the 

 cocoons every year for eight or ten years, if a large number of cocoons be kept in the first place, 

 and if they be retained so long. 



Development of the Perfect Insect.— h few days before the appearance of the butterfly or moth, 

 the pupa generally becomes less lively, and loses its colour so much that the colour and pattern 

 of the enclosed insect are often visible through the wing-cases. At last the pupa-skin splits down 

 the back, and the insect squeezes the fore part of its body out. At the same time it gradually 

 draws its antennae, legs, and wings out of their cases, and lastly the abdomen, with the help of its 

 legs, and clings to the pupa-case or some other object in such a position as to let the wings hang 

 down from the back. These are very small, and like wet flaps at first, but they expand so fast 

 that tjiey may almost be seen to grow ; and after they have acquired their full size, they soon 

 become stiff and firm. In pups which are enclosed in a cocoon, or lie underground, the moth has 

 to break through the former, or to work its way out of the ground. Those pupa; which are found 

 in the interior of plants, such as those of the Sesiidce, Cossidce, and larvJE which live in reeds, &c., 

 push themselves along through the gallery which they have previously prepared, by means of 

 the fringe of hooks on the segments, and push the fore part of the pupa through the outer 

 opening. 



