LEPIDOP7EKA. 



163 



Fig. 129. 

 Moth just emerged. 



opening increases in size, and very soon allows the imago to 

 emerge. 



It is on the middle of the upper part of the thorax that the 

 envelope begins to split. The split extends over the middle of the 

 forehead and back. The pieces of the thorax 

 open, separate themselves from the other parts to 

 which they were fixed, and the insect can take 

 advantage of the opening which is made, and 

 escape. Little by little also it advances its head. 

 The head is the first out of the old skin, and the 

 insect sets itself entirely free. 



This occupies rather a long time ; for we must 

 remember that, under the pupal envelope, its legs, 

 its antennae, its wings, and many other parts, are 

 enclosed in special cases. These peculiar circum- 

 stances show that the animal has much trouble and 

 must employ some time in setting free all the parts. 



At last our prisoner has come out of its narrow 

 cell, and is delivered from its old covering. What 

 poet can describe to us the sensations of this 

 charming and frail creature which has just risen 

 from the tomb, and for the first time is enjoying 

 the splendid light of day, the radiant sky, and the 

 flowers redolent with delicious perfumes, which are 

 inviting it to kiss and caress them ! 



The wings strike one most. They are very 

 small at the time of birth. 



Fig. 129 represents, after Reaumur,* a moth 

 at the moment in which it has just emerged from 

 the pupa. But at the end of a short period the 

 wings become developed ; only they are wrinkled, 

 as Fig. 130, given by Reaumur, represents. 



Re'aumur having taken between his fingers a 

 very short wing of a butterfly which was just 

 hatched, drew it about gently in all directions. 

 He succeeded thus in giving it the whole extent it would have 

 assumed naturally. According to Reaumur the wing of a butterfly 

 just born, which appears so small, is really already provided with all 

 its parts, only it is folded and re-folded on itself. He supposes that 

 what his hands did to lengthen the butterfly's wings, is done naturally 



Fig. 130. 



Moth whose wings are 

 folded up. 



* Tome i., p. 654, planche 46, Fig. I. 



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