CH. XXII.] METAMORPHOSES OF INSECTS. 291 



CHAPTER XXII. 



ON THE METAMORPHOSES OF INSECTS. 



Metamorphoses of Insects Larva Pupa partial complete 

 semi-complete subsemi-complete incomplete obtected coarc 

 tote. 



IN this chapter we will confine ourselves to the 

 illustration and description of the metamorphoses 

 of insects. In many we find the state of the larva, 

 or that which immediately succeeds the escape of 

 the insect from the egg, distinguished by the ordi- 

 nary terms of grubs, maggots, gentils, worms, &c., 

 which names appear to be indiscriminately employ- 

 ed in common language, not only for the soft-bodied 

 larvae of different orders, but also for many of the 

 underground feeding larvae of moths, as well as for 

 real worms. Hence it appears to us to be inju- 

 dicious to attempt to apply any or either of them 

 definitely to the contents of any one particular 

 order, as some persons have attempted to do, con- 

 sidering that such a step would not tend in the least 

 degree to clear up the confusion,, since the names 

 are evidently considered and employed as synony- 

 mous terms. Thus the larva of the tipula is called 

 " the grub," and that of the cheese and baconfly 

 (Piophila casei), a maggot ; while the latter name is 

 also given to the larva of the nut- weevil (Balaninus 

 nucum) ; in like manner those of the Tenebrionidoe. 

 and ElateridcB are termed meal-worms and wire- 

 worms, while those of some species of gnats are 

 usually named blood-worms. 



In this state the insect is never provided with 

 wings ; it feeds voraciously, sheds its skin several 

 times, and generally attains its largest size; the 



