48 HISTORY OF 



assume a form very like that which they were 

 after to preserve ; and seemed arrived at a state 

 of perfection in all respects, except in not having 

 wings, which did not bud forth until they were 

 come to maturity. But the insects of this third 

 order, that we are now about to describe, go 

 through a much greater variety of transforma- 

 tions j for, when they are excluded from the egg, 

 they assume the form of a small caterpillar, which 

 feeds and grows larger every day, often changing 

 its skin, but still preserving its form. When the 

 animal has come to a certain magnitude in this 

 state, it discontinues eating, makes itself a cover- 

 ing or husk, in which it remains wrapped up, 

 seemingly without life or motion ; and after hav- 

 ing for some time continued in this state, it once 

 more bursts its confinement, and comes forth a 

 butterfly. Thus we see this animal put on no 

 less than three different appearances from the 

 time it is first excluded from the egg. It appears 

 a crawling caterpillar ; then an insensible aure- 

 lia, as it is called, without life or motion; and 

 lastly, a beautiful butterfly, variously painted, ac- 

 cording to its different kind. Having thus distin- 

 guished this class of insects from all others, we 

 will first survey their history in general, and 

 then enter particularly into the manners and na- 

 ture of a few of them which most deserve .our 

 curiosity and attention. 



