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NATURES TEACHINGS. 



The man cuts a long piece of one of the tough and almost 

 unbreakable creepers which festoon the trees of tropical climes. 

 He passes it round the trunk which he wishes to climb, and 

 fastens the ends firmly together, so as to form a large loose hoop. 

 He then passes the hoop over his head, until it presses against 

 his back, as seen in the illustration, and serves to support him 

 as he leans against it. 



Taking the hoop by the two sides, he lifts it up the trunk as 

 far as he can, places the soles of his feet against the tree, and 

 so walks up it, hitching the hoop upwards at every step. When 



GIRT PUPA AND BUTTERFLY. 



CLIMBING PALM-TREK. 



he has reached the top of the tree, he supports himself entirely 

 by the hoop, while his hands are at liberty to be used in getting 

 the cocoa-nuts. 



IN the insect world there are many examples of support 

 being given by a belt passing round the body. 



Among the Butterflies, for example, there are many which, 

 in their pupal stage of existence, are attached to upright stems. 

 They are fixed to the stem by a few threads at the tail, answer- 

 ing to the feet of the tree-climber, while the body is kept in 

 position by a stout silken thread passed loosely round it. 



The illustration represents the pupa of the common Swallow- 

 tailed Butterfly, while in the centre is the same insect in the 

 perfect state as it appears when resting. It really seems as if 





