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lulliparous. But how shall we describe the multiplication 

 of other cluster-poly puses, that of the7u^-polypuses,and 

 of the milJipes 1 Lastly, the spider-Jly presents us with 

 another method of multiplying, in which there is no- 

 thing that is common with any of those above-men- 

 tioned, and Which is attempted to be expressed by the 

 term of nymphiparous. How many other methods of 

 propagating will there be discovered every day for 

 which it will be necessary to create new terms ? 



8. One animal does not differ more from another 

 than a worm from a nymph. And what renders this 

 metamorphosis still more surprising is> that it seems to 

 be performed instantaneously. 



What then is the procedure of nature in this respect 1 

 She, in other instances, advances by degrees. An in- 

 sensible developemerit brings all organized bodies to a 

 state of perfection. Can this law, which is so universal, 

 suffer any exception ? A fact which I am going to relate 

 will help us to penetrate this mystery. 



Let us confine ourselves to caterpillars ; they ar6 

 sufficiently known to us, since the silk-worm is a real 

 caterpillar. The caterpillar from time to time changes 

 Iris skin, and that is common to him and most oilier in- 

 sects. These moultings are termed maladies in the silk- 

 worm, and they are so in effect. But it is very material 

 to observe, that the skin which the caterpillar casts oft" 

 at each moulting is so complete, that it seems to be of 

 itself a real caterpillar. There is found in it a head, 

 eyes, a mouth, jaws, legs, armed with hooks, stigmata, 

 and generally ail the, external parts proper to the 

 insect. 



How is the caterpillar enabled to divest itself of so 

 many organs, and clothe itself with new ones resembling 

 the first 1 Nothing can be more simple than this : new 

 organs were lodged in the old ones, as in so many cases 

 or sheaths. In changing its skin, the caterpillar had 

 occasion only to draw them away> and drew them away 

 accordingly, because the cases proved too strait. 



This jointing is so real, that it may be perceived by 

 I 2 



