Animals* 233 



to supply its important' place in the 

 universe. 



The changes and transformations of in- 

 sects are first from the ovum (egg) into 

 the larva (caterpillar or maggot;) then in- 

 to the pupa (chrysalis) and lastly into the 

 imago (fly.) Pupa is a name derived from, 

 the resemblance of the insect in this state 

 to an infant in swaddling clothes ; and the 

 term is now used in preference tochrysalis. 

 The period of existence in each of these 

 states varies greatly in different species 

 of insects ; but in general they continue 

 much longer in the reptile state than in 

 that of the fly. The species of fly called 

 ichneumon remains in the water as a kind 

 of worm for the space of about two years; 

 in its fly state it seldom continues more 

 than one day. The ephemeron is nearly 

 the same ; and the grub of the cockchaffer 

 remains vmder ground for about two years 

 also ; in its fly state it in general exists 

 only about two months. 



