The Life of the Caterpillar 



where it is and will remain there indefinitely 

 until dismantled by the weather. The emer- 

 gence is effected through the hinder end of 

 the bundle of sticks, the only way by which it 

 can be effected. Having permanently closed 

 the top opening, the real door of the house, 

 by fastening it to the support which he has 

 chosen, the caterpillar therefore has turned 

 the other way round and undergone his trans- 

 formation in a reversed position, which 

 enables the adult insect to emerge through the 

 outlet made at the back, the only one now 

 free. 



For that matter, this is the method fol- 

 lowed by all the Psyches. The case has two 

 apertures. The front one, which is more regu- 

 lar and more carefully constructed, is at the 

 caterpillar's service so long as larval activity 

 lasts. It is closed and firmly fastened to its 

 support at the time of the nymphosis. The 

 hinder one, which is faulty and even hidden 

 by the sagging of the sides, is at the Moth's 

 service. It does not really open until right 

 at the end, when pushed by the chrysalis or 

 the adult insect. 



In their modest pearl-grey dress, with their 

 insignificant wing-equipment, hardly exceed 

 194 



