CHAPTER VI. 



PREPARATION FOR A CHANGE. 



THE last stage of the larva's history hastens on. 

 Its career of activity and voracity is nearly ended, 

 and the insect's days in this form are well nigh 

 spent. Hitherto it has been an earthly, earth- 

 loving being, without either the desire or the power 

 to raise itself into the airy element, in which multi- 

 tudes of its species are disporting the day long. If 

 we may so speak, its highest desires have only been 

 confined to the quality and quantity of its food ; 

 possessing these, it was content. But now, its 

 hours of feasting are come to a close, and it has to 

 make ready for a great and momentous change. 

 The crawling, and, perhaps, repulsive creature 

 which we turn from without regret, has a high des- 

 tiny to accomplish, when the period of its sojourn 

 in its vile body is fully accomplished ; and then, 

 that form which now creeps among the dust of the 



