222 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



remembered that the legs of this skin are still 

 firmly attached to the silk, in consequence of their 

 hook-like form, it will be evident that this also is 

 a task of some arduousness. In order to get rid 

 of it, it jerks itself about in various directions, 

 and spins round very rapidly, doubtless the reader 

 has often seen the insect in this act, and has won- 

 dered what was its object in whirling round after 

 this manner, by this means at length the cast-skin 

 appears loosed from its hold and drops off. The 

 whole proceeding from first to last is represented 

 in our engraving. The little hooks of the tail of 



7 / ' ^^Z^ ^ e P u P a are re P re " 



sen ted in the adjoining 



cut much enlarged. 

 Well does Reaumur ex- 

 claim, " These ma- 

 noeuvres of withdraw- 



Tail oj a to^r^gyfl** to *ou> the J n g J^g fa\]_ from \\Q old 



skin, of climbing up the old skin, and of hooking 

 its tail in the silken button," and, as we might 

 add, of whirling itself, and in other ways agitating 

 itself to get rid of its old skin, " are manoeuvres 

 so delicate and perilous, that we cannot help won- 

 dering how an insect which only executes them 



