THE METAMORPHOSIS 105 



This insect in outline is called a nymph. The name 

 of chrysalis used for butterflies and that of nymph 

 used for the other insects signify the same thing 

 under somewhat different appearances. Both the 

 chrysalis and the nymph are insects in process of 

 formation insects closely wrapped in swaddling 

 clothes, under which is finished the mysterious oper- 

 ation that will change their first structure from top 

 to bottom. 



1 1 In a couple of weeks, if the temperature is favor- 

 able, the chrysalis of the silkworm opens like a ripe 

 fruit, and from its burst shell the butterfly escapes, 

 all ragged, moist, scarcely able to stand on its trem- 

 bling legs. Open air is necessary for it to gain 

 strength, to spread and dry its wings. It must get 

 out of the cocoon. But how? The caterpillar has 

 made the cocoon so solid and the butterfly is so 

 weak! Will it perish in its prison, the poor little 

 thing! It would not be worth the trouble of going 

 through so much to stifle miserably in the close cell, 

 just as the end is attained!" 



' ' Could it not tear the cocoon open with its teeth ? ' ' 

 asked Emile. 



"But, my innocent child, it has none, nor anything 

 lik< them. It has only a proboscis, incapable of the 

 slightest effort." 



"With its claws then?" suggested Jules. 



"Yes, if it had any strong enough. The trouble 

 is, it is not provided with any." 



"But it must be able to get out," persisted Jules. 



"Doubtless it will get out. lias not every crea- 

 tun resources in the difficult moments of life! To 



