GENERAL CHARACTERS 15 



is undergoing a remarkable change. Some of its old organs are 

 disappearing, and others are developing ; and, after all the parts of 

 the future insect have been developed as far as its narrow shell will 

 permit, it bursts forth into the world as a perfect insect or imago. 



Its wings at first are small, shapeless, and crumpled in a most 

 unsightly fashion ; but it is not long before they assume their full 

 size, beautiful form, and gorgeous colouring. Then, in about 

 another hour or two, the wings, at first soft and flaccid, have 

 become sufficiently dry and stiff to bear their owner rapidly 

 through the air. 



We have thus observed some of the more striking features in 

 the structure of the butterfly and moth in its most perfect state ; 

 and alluded in a very brief manner to the various stages through 

 which these creatures must necessarily pass before finally reaching 

 this stage. But now we must study these earlier stages more 

 closely, and watch the insects during the marvellous transitions 

 they are destined to undergo. This we shall do in the following 

 chapters. 



