﻿GROWTH OF INSECTS. 



77 



caterpillars will grow rapidly, and ultimately change into 

 chrysalides. It is a common thing to see boys collect cater- 

 pillars and place them in a box, with grass to feed upon ; the 

 grass dries, and of course becomes unfit for food, and even 

 if it were fresh the caterpillar would not eat it, unless it were 

 its natural food. If the pupils wish to raise caterpillars, 

 they must be sure and furnish them with the kind of leaf 

 they are accustomed to feed upon. It may be an elm-leaf, 

 or a cabbage-leaf. Thus, there is a common worm which 

 they will find feeding on the leaves of the Tartarian honey- 

 suckle, as in Fig. 78. To raise this worm, therefore, it is 

 necessary to furnish it, from time to time, with the leaves of 

 this honeysuckle. 



Fig. 78. — Worm feeding on the Leaf of the Tartarian Honeysuckle. 

 (Copied from figure by J. H. Emerton, in Packard's "Guide to the Study of Insects.") 



In its growth, the caterpillar usually sheds its skin three 

 or four times. 



After the caterpillar has become full-grown, it stops eat- 

 ing, and crawls about in a restless manner. 



