6 ROMANCE OF THE INSECT WORLD CHAP. 



the moment of its liberation from the egg as a larva* 

 until it assumes the perfect form, its life is one 

 continuous succession of changes. These are not 

 merely from larva to pupa, and from pupa to perfect 

 insect, for even while it is a larva it undergoes a 

 series of sheddings of skin, or moults as they are 

 called, previous to its attainment of its full size and 

 growth. No sooner is a caterpillar hatched than it 

 begins eating, its first meal often consisting of its 

 discarded egg-shell. Perhaps this dainty morsel 

 tempts the appetite, at any rate the hunger that the 

 insect displays, and the amount of food that it 

 requires to satisfy it are something wonderful. 

 Naturally it increases immensely, and the skin has 

 to stretch to allow of the greater bulk. By and by 

 there comes a day when the skin will extend no 

 more, it cracks, and the larva crawls forth, clad in 

 a bright new coat. The process evidently produces 

 the greatest discomfort and uneasiness. A few hours 

 before the divestment begins the larva ceases to eat, 

 and remains motionless, meanwhile the body suffers 

 powerful twitchings and contractions. But when 

 once the skin yields it splits down the back the 

 actual withdrawal from the clothing is seldom of 

 long duration. The external covering of the body is 

 not the only thing that is cast. The whole internal 

 lining of the mouth and the digestive canal, and that 

 of the respiratory organs are likewise detached and 

 come away with the skin. This change, though it is 

 most conspicuous at the last moult of the larva, 

 probably takes place at the occurrence of each 

 shedding. 



