LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 23 



kinds of larvae change their skins a number of 

 times before they attain their full size. 



When the time has arrived for them to un- 

 dergo another important change, they leave off 

 eating and commence their preparations. These 

 preparations are as various as the worms are 

 different: some descend into the earth, where 

 they remain several years before they acquire 

 wings; some weave a silken web, in which they 

 wrap themselves as in a shroud ; some make 

 their covering of dried leaves; while, with 

 others, the last skin becomes hard and tough, 

 and encloses them as in a case. 



In this state they are called Pupse, Jlurelias, 

 or Chrysalides. Most Chrysalides are ap- 

 parently dead, neither moving nor eating; but 

 others both move and eat. These are called 

 Nymphs. 



When the proper period has arrived for them 

 to escape from their confinement, they burst the 

 case which covers them, and come forth, no 

 longer crawling worms, but beautiful winged 

 insects, with new wants, new pleasures, and a 

 new life. The insect is now called an Imago, 

 (which is the Latin name for image,) because, 



