INTRODUCTION. vil 
intricately decorated with delicate raised patterns and devices, sometimes extending over the 
entire surface. These patterns are of almost endless variety in different species. Those of the 
delicate little moth Geometra Crategata are covered with regular geometric network, resembling a 
shallow honeycomb. The eggs of one of the brown Meadow Butterflies are nearly spherical, but 
flattened at the base, and ornamented with rows of minute raised knobs disposed like the seg- 
mental marks in a peeled orange, only closer together. Those of another, of the ‘ Meadow 
are enriched with longitudinal ribs, connected in the lower portion by delicate hori- 
zontal marks, which at the top have the appearance of a small cap of scales. Those of the com- 
mon Garden White Butterfly have fifteen small longitudinal ridges, converging to the centre of 
the smaller extremity, the spaces between being ornamentally subdivided crosswise by a series 
of regular grooves or channels. It may be noticed that there is no caleareous substance contained 
in the shells of the eggs of insects analogous to that which forms the basis of the egg-shells of birds, 
The eggs of Butterflies and Moths vary considerably in number, but are always abundant— 
the Moth of the Silkworm laying about 500, and the Goat-Moth above 1000. Those of Butter- 
flies vary in similar proportions. As an instance of the beautiful symmetry with which the eggs 
H] 
Brown’s,’ 
of insects of this class are placed by the parent, in rows, close together, those of the common 
White Butterfly may be cited. Patches of them may often be observed upon cabbage leaves, 
when they look like small pieces of evenly woven lace, each opening being filled by a semi- 
transparent globule, resembling a little pearl. The eggs of other kinds are disposed in many 
different ways, some assuming the appearance of minute bracelets of beads, round the branches 
to which they are attached. 
The mode of exit of the young larva, or Caterpillar of the Moth or Butterfly, from the 
shell is very various in different kinds. In general the little creature gnaws its way out at the 
part nearest the head, much as a chicken at the proper time pecks at the shell till it forces its 
way out. The gnawing process often costs the embryo Caterpillar many hours of labour, 
especially when the shell is thick, as in the eggs of some species, which being laid in the autumn, 
are destined to resist the trials of a winter, and not be hatched till the following spring, In 
some cases the shell is furnished with a kind of lid, which is lifted by a very complicated pulley 
apparatus difficult to describe, but which the insect thoroughly understands—never making a 
mistake and pulling the wrong string. Many very singular peculiarities might be enumerated 
concerning the mode of exit of the young Caterpillar, but I must proceed at once to describe 
the next stage of his career, after his escape from his little quaintly sculptured prison. 
The Caterpillar or larva of a Butterfly or Moth differs from the larva of most other kinds 
of insects, Inasmuch as it almost always feeds on the leaves of plants,* and is frequently gaily 
clothed in a skin of velvety texture of the richest colours, or with a mantle of silken fur of many 
hues, which makes it in its larva state nearly as attractive in general appearance (to those who 
have no prejudice against the wormlike form) as the perfect Butterfly itself. The larvae of most 
other insects, on the contrary, are either naked and repulsive-looking grubs, feeding under- 
ground, or of still more unprepossessing forms, such as those, for instance, that pass their larva 
state in water. 
The caterpillars or larve of Butterflies, to the description of which I must confine myself, 
should be described here in some detail. They are most commonly furnished with six positive 
legs, which represent those of the future Butterfly, and eight pro-legs, as they have been termed, 
appendages which merely serve to balance and secure the central and posterior portion of the 
body of the Caterpillar while feeding, and in holding on to the under side of leaves while the 
true legs are otherwise employed, perhaps in drawing the edge or some other portion of the leaf 
towards the mouth. These pro-legs entirely disappear after the Caterpillar stage, no trace of 
them remaining in the perfect insect. They are generally disposed as follows :—after the three 
* With the exception of a few root-feeders. 
