THE SILK WORM. 145 



projects. So soon as the flies come forth the room 

 should be darkened, and the flies placed upon news- 

 papers spread upon a table. After copulation, the 

 female commences laying her eggs, which vary in 

 number from two to five hundred. All those eggs 

 which do not change their color within a few hours 

 after being laid are unimpregnated, and consequently 

 are good for nothing. 



I have given a mere outline of the silk-worm, 

 which will be filled up in future pages. When we 

 contemplate this interesting insect in all its operations 

 and transformations, the mind is irresistibly led up to 

 that sublime Being, who has placed before us in the 

 transformation of the worm, a complete picture of 

 man's redemption. Like man it toils through life and 

 plays the glutton ; but more wise than mart, it prepares 

 for the tomb; or, in other words, it spins its own 

 tomb, the cocoon. In twelve or fourteen days it 

 bursts the barrier of the grave, and comes forth 

 robed in white, a beautiful butterfly. It labors and 

 toils no more, but all is pleasure, all is enjoyment. 

 The very instruments or organs with which it labor- 

 ed are gone, and a new form is given to enjoy its se- 

 cond existence. But in a few days this beautiful 

 of eature dies, and here ends the simile ; for man shall 

 live immortal, " unhurt by the wreck of matter and 



the crush of worlds? 3 

 13 



