GILDED PUP^E* 237 



glittering things, and actually believed these spots 

 to be of real gold, and hence imagined that they 

 had found out an argument in nature for the trans- 

 mutation of common metals into that coveted one. 

 But a little experiment, which it is in the power 

 of any one to perform, would soon have undeceived 

 them, and taught them the truth of the proverb, 

 "All is not gold that glitters." By infusing a portion 

 of saffron in hot water, and straining it off after a 

 little time, and adding to the rich yellow liquor 

 thus obtained a few lumps of pure gum Arabic, 

 a sort of gilding varnish will be obtained, which, 

 if applied to a bright shilling, will give it very 

 much of a golden appearance, owing to the shining 

 of the metal showing through a transparent film 

 of a golden colour. The gilded look of the pupa 

 was found by Reaumur to be produced in the 

 same way by the shining white membrane of the 

 inner skin showing through the outer skin, which 

 is of a transparent yellow. 



In the Transactions of the Linnasan Society for 

 1833, the Rev. L. Guilding describes a very 

 curious pupa, the case of which resembles pearl. 

 These little bodies are found in abundance in 

 the island of Antigua, and are often sent home 



