GROWTH AND XKTAM0RPU0SI8 OF IM 39 



lives, differ)] itly in structu raallvantl illv, 



;it these three periods, and with a ronment. 



Mosl caterpillars moult four <>r five times;* the outer la 

 of the -kin being h moult The .-kin o] 



on the back behind the head, the caterpillar drawing 

 out of the rent. In the change from the caterpillar to the 

 chrysalis, there are remarkable transformations in the nut — 

 . the nervous, digestive, and circulatory system, induc- 

 ing a change of form, externa] and internal, characterizing 

 the differeul stages in the metamorpht 



While the changes in form are comparatively sudden in 

 and butterflies, the steps thai lead to them are gradual. 

 Bow gradual they are may be seen by a study of the meta- 

 morphosis of a bee. In the nest of the humble- or honey- 

 the young may be found in al -. from the egg to 



the pupa, ■_ olored and read) t<> emerge from it- cell, 



fficult to indicate when the chrysal • trins 



and the larva Btage ends, yel the metamorphos more 



complete thai is, the adult more unlike the Ian 



than in any other insect. 



The better way to understand how an inseel transfoi 

 is to rear a moth or butterfly, a fly, and a bee or saw-flv 

 from the larva, closely observing each change. l'>\ thus 

 observing the transformations of moths, flies, and beel 

 the popular opinioD that the smaller flies and nmths are the 

 young <•!' the larger ones will be seen to lie an error; all 

 winged insects being adults, and fully mature. 



* The caterpillars of mosl North American butterflies moull four 

 times, but in case of hibernation five times, three limes l>< h 

 rare exception iii. 161). Mr. W Bu< thai the 



Dumber of moults varies in differeul species. " 1 1. • If made 



sure that -i\ Is t he number for some and nine for Oth< re, :i- in the 

 case of ft - Ent. \fonth.Ma ,,Jub 18£ Mr. Edwards 



ndd- that in two instances I ia prometiien moulted Inn three 



times, and he thinks thai this species varies in tb ti • ■< r of moults 

 with the latitude or locality. Telea poh/ph* - four ti 



as doc- Atta lued in England [Pyacfie, iii. 171-174 Bellins 



records a variable number of moults (three to ti vi in lar\ 

 antiqua from the same batch of eggs {Bnt. M - :--: 



p. 88) 



