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In the centre of the capper thistle there is a large ob- 

 long cavity, which is commonly inhabited by a small 

 caterpillar, that makes a sort of cone therein, where 

 she transforms herself. The rind of the thistle is much 

 harder than that of onr corn : it would be impossible 

 for the butterfly to force a passage through it. It 

 would have occasion for very strong teeth for that 

 purpose, and is furnished with no analogous instru- 

 ments. The caterpillar, which seems sensible of this, 

 makes a skilful provision for the necessities of the 

 butterfly. It pierces in different parts the walls of its 

 lodge, and makes a small round hole in it, opposite the 

 extreme part of the cone which the butterfly is to go 

 out at ; but, where this hole to remain open, the chry- 

 salis would be too much exposed. The caterpillar con- 

 trives a very simple expedient for stopping up the aper- 

 ture. The whole exterior part of the head of the 

 thistle is covered with the seeds of the plant. The 

 caterpillar brings some of these little bodies to the out- 

 side of the hole. 



In treating of the proceedings of aquatic moths, we 

 have remarked that they transform themselves in their 

 case. There must be a continual fresh supply of 

 water in this enclosure : yet, no voracious inject, -should 

 be allowed access to it. Instead of placing a full made 

 door at the entrance of its lodge, the moth puts a 

 grated one there, w Inch answers every end. Let us not 

 attribute our method of reasoning to this moth. Does 

 she know that voracious inserts have a design against 

 her life ] Is she sensible that she will put on a form 

 under which she will not be able to fly] No; she is 

 ignorant of all this; nor does it concern her to know 

 it. She has been taught to spread threads that are 

 capable of growth ; she does spread them, in so doing, 

 she provides by a machine against the inconveniendes 

 which she neither knows or can know. Judge on the 

 same principle of other facts of this kind. It is always 

 the AUTHOR of the insect who alone is to be esteemed 

 wonderful. 



