208 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



the hook-like processes which fringe these legs to 

 become securely entangled in them. It then is 

 safe as to the issue, and now lets its body drop 

 down, fearless of the most violent rockings to 

 which even a tempest might expose it. 



Another way of suspending themselves is almost 

 equally singular with this. It may be witnessed 

 by the reader if he will take the pains to collect 

 the larvae of the common white butterfly, found in 

 abundance upon our cabbage rows ; and by pro- 

 perly attending to, feeding and watching them, 

 this curious proceeding may generally be observed, 

 in a few at least of the number, supposing that 

 the others may have hung themselves up without 

 being seen in the very act. If we were to set a 

 mountebank to the task this larva has to perform, 

 it may well be doubted whether with the richest 

 reward before him he could manage to effect it. 

 First, he would have to tie both his feet fast to a 

 branch, so that he would swing head downwards ; 

 then, in order to hang himself in the horizontal 

 posture, he must bend his body up, fasten a cord 

 round the branch in a proper place, so as to form 

 a loop, and then put his head and body into it, so 

 that it would support him comfortably just under 



