80 INTRODUCTION. 



When the chrysalis is to be suspended horizon- 

 tally, or in an inclined position, the caterpillar com- 

 mences, as before, by fixing its hinder pro-legs to a 

 button of silk spun for the purpose. But as some 

 additional support is necessary in this case, it pre- 

 pares a band of the same material for encircling its 

 body near the middle. Different methods are prac- 

 tised by caterpillars for fixing this cincture. The 

 most simple, and least liable to accidents, is that 

 adopted by the larva of the common Cabbage But- 

 terfly, and other allied species. Availing themselves 

 of the great flexibility of their bodies, they bend the 

 head backwards to the point where the girdle is to 

 be placed, and, after fixing the threads on one side, 

 carry them over to the other, merely by turning 

 the head in the opposite direction. Other caterpil- 

 lars, of which that of the Swallow-tail (P. Machaon, 

 PI. III. fig. 1.) may serve as an example, spin their 

 suspensory band, and fasten it at each end, allowing 

 it to hang down in a loop, into which they insinuate 

 their bodies after it is completed. But the threads 

 not being agglutinated, or twisted into a compact cord, 

 the creature could scarcely avoid being entangled 

 among them in its passage, but for the dexterous 

 use it makes of its fore-legs, which it employs to 

 keep the band extended and in a proper position. 



Some time after the caterpillar has been thus at- 

 tached to the under side of a branch, or some other 

 object, the skin is cast nearly in the same manner 

 as formerly described, being ruptured on the back 



