73 



is being constantly depositeil in tho cuticle, the cuticle thus hardened loses 

 its elasticity and is soon too small for the increasing size of the body. 

 Consequently it splits along the middle lino of the back, and through this 

 fissure the insect withdraws itself from its chitinous coat. Or, in other 

 cases, tho cuticle coines off gradually in thin shreds. The "ncwsltin" 

 contains very little chitine as yet, and being quite clastic, stretches to 

 accommodate the size of the body. This sldn (cuticle) in turn becomes 

 hardened, is likewise cast oil', or moulted, and succeeded by others, varying 

 in number in different species of insects. Very often there are changes in 

 the shape, color, etc., of the larva after successive moults. 



Technical names for the process of moulting are ecdijsis and exuviation, 

 and for tho moulted skins, exuvitc. 



In the case of those insects glassing through a complete transformation, 

 when the larva moults for the last time, it becomes a pupa, usually of quite 

 dissimilar shape from the larva, and usually quiet, that is, docs not move 

 from place to place. The last moult of the insect's life is when the cuticle 

 of the pupa splits open and the imago emerges, and, after a short period, 

 spreads its wings and begins its ffirial life. 



Where the insect undergoes but an incomplete transformation, when 

 the nymph moults for the last time, the imago state is entered at once. 



Hitherto, in speaking of the segmented form of an insect's body, 

 reference has been made solely to the body-wall. So far as the intcrnul 

 organs are concerned, the muscles, the nervous, circulatory and respiratory 

 systems, at least, are more or less arranged" in correspondence with the 

 segmentation of the body-wall.— P. P. C. — Entomological Neivs, June, 1890. 



" I RECOLLECT some ten or twelve years ago, one Sunday, 

 whilst collecting in a neglected field, near Bernard's dam, tliat 

 the proprietor of the ground, or of some neighbonring territory, 

 a pleasant, hale old gentleman, came down in his shirt sleeves 

 to gratify his curiosity in regard to my doings. He first 

 approached with the proper caution due to nearing an equivocal 

 animal, but assuring himself by the placidity of my countenance, 

 doubtless, that there was no apparent danger to be dreaded, he 

 approached me, and in the Pennsylvania German dialect asked 

 what I was doing. I showed him my collecting-box and its 

 contents, my net, etc., and as at that moment a large female of 

 the Epiiestiox butterfly fleAV near, I joined example to precept 

 by capturing and killing and pinning it in my collecting-box in 

 his presence. The most difficult part to make the old gentleman 

 comprehend, was what the things could be used for after they 

 were caitght. I attempted an exj^lanatiou. Whether I was' 

 successful in doing so to his satisfaction I still doubt, however, 

 he seemed pleased, and by Avay of explanation said, as he 

 departed, * Ich haab dich gasayn for ein bar Suntaag here und 

 durt so rum springe un ich hab gaydenkt du waarst so ein 

 kaerl wo nicht gons recht in kopf Avar, aber' (' I have seen you 

 running around here for the last couple of Sundays, and I 

 thought you Avere one of those felloAvs Avho Avere not quite right 



