INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS 1459 



''caterpillar" ; and if we might fail to recognize its 

 relationship to the bright denizen of the air as far 

 as outward appearance is concerned, we might also be 

 at a loss to reconcile its internal structure with that 

 of the perfect butterfly. Thus the latter is winged ; 

 possesses a mouth and digestive system, adapted for 

 the reception and assimilation of flower-juices; and 

 wholly differs in structure and habits from its worm- 

 like progeny. The caterpillar is provided with a 

 mouth furnished with jaws, and adapted for biting or 

 mastication ; its digestive system presents a type dif- 

 fering widely from that of the perfect form; and its 

 crawling^ terrestrial habits appear in strong contrast 

 to the light and ethereal movements of its parent. 



The -life of this larva may be accurately described 

 as one devoted solely to its nourishment. Its entire 

 existence, while in the caterpillar state, is one long 

 process of continuous eating and devouring. By 

 means of its jaws it nips and destroys the young leaves 

 of plants, much to the gardener's annoyance; and so 

 rapidly does its body increase in size, that the first 

 skin with which its body is provided soon cracks and 

 bursts like a tight-fitting coat, and a process of moult- 

 ing ensues. As the result of this process the larva 

 emerges, clad in a new skin, adapted to the increased 

 size of its body. This second skin may similarly be- 

 come inadequate to accommodate its ever-increasing 

 growth, and a second process of moulting produces in 

 turn a new investment. In this way the caterpillar 

 may change its coat many times twenty-one moult- 

 ings have been counted in the development of the 

 May-flies and on arriving at the close of its larval 



