TRANSFORMATION OF ANIMALS. 159 



ttach themselves to the branches, instead of the leaves, 

 which are less durable, and subject to a greater variety of ac- 

 cidents. The colors of the caterpillars give no idea of those 

 of the future flies. 



In general, the figure of chrysalids approaches to that of a 

 cone, especially in their posterior part. When under this 

 form the insect seems to have neither legs nor wings. Ft is 

 incapable either of walking or of crawling. It takes no nour- 

 ishment, because it has no organs suited to that purpose ; yet, 

 in some species, life is continued for several months before 

 their last metamorphosis takes place. In a word, it seems to 

 be a lifeless mass. But upon a more attentive observation, it 

 is found to possess the power of bending upwards and down- 

 wards the posterior part of its body. The skin, or exterior 

 covering of those which do not spin webs, seems to be of a 

 cartilaginous nature. It is commonly smooth and shining. 

 In some species, however, the skin of the chrysalis is more or 

 less covered with hair, and other rugosities. Though chrys- 

 alids differ both in figure and color, their appearances are 

 by no means so various as those of the caterpillars, from which 

 they are produced. The color of some chrysalids is that of 

 pure gold, from which circumstance the whole have received 

 their denomination. For the same reason they are called 

 aurelics, in Latin. Some are brown, others green ; and indeed 

 they are to be found of almost every color and shade. 



The life of winged insects consists of three principal 

 periods, which present very different scenes to the student of 

 nature. In the first period, the insect appears under the 

 form of a worm, caterpillar, or larva. Its body is long and 

 cylindrical, and consists of a succession of rings, which are 

 generally membranous, and incased within each other. By 

 the aid of its rings, or of crotchets, or of several pairs of leg?, 

 it crawls about in quest of food ; and its movements are, in 

 some species, remarkably quick. Its head is armed with teeth 

 or pincers, by which it eats the leaves of plants or other kinds 

 of food. Its blood moves from the tail toward the head. It 

 respires either by stigmata, or small apertures placed on each 

 side of its body, or by one or several tubes situated on its 

 posterior part, which have the resemblance of so many tails. 

 In the second period, the insect appears under the form of a 

 nymph, or a chrysalis. While in this state, insects in general 

 are totally inactive, and seem not to possess any powers of 

 life. Sunk into a kind of deep sleep, they are little affected 

 by external objects. They can make no use of their eyes, 



