downing] SAMIA CECROPIA'S LOVE STORY 279 



there are the possibilities of future generations; there are prob- 

 lems of heredity, of life, aye! of immortality, still locked within 

 those fragile walls. 



Nestled by the wanp simshine, the tiny living speck in the 

 cradle grew and grew, feeding on the yolk left near by the mother, 

 until at last the cradle could hold its baby occupant no longer, 

 and out crept a hairy little creature that surely could have no 

 relation to the beautiful Samia. But it was her baby self, though 

 truly a queer little black imp she was with her fuzzy coat. 



She was possessed of a tiny body, but a mighty appetite. Her 

 mouth was provided with a pair of keen jaws, which she proceeded 

 to use on the succulent foliage. Madame Cecropia made no 

 mistake when she placed those eggs, for there right at hand, were 

 tender green leaves for her brood of babies. Little "Nig" Cecropia 

 fell to and one could have heard the steady click, click of her jaws 

 as she greedily bit off mouthfuls of the welcome food. Such a 

 gourmand! The youngster seemed to live to eat. An entire 

 leaf did not satisfy her appetite, but she tmeasily sought a second 

 one and started her sN'stematic gnawing along its edges until she, 

 with her brothers and sisters, had stripped the sapling of all its 

 tender lea^•es. How she did grow! At first no bigger than an 

 exclamation point, she doubled her size in a few hoiirs. Then 

 this little larva was a juicy morsel and one wonders how she escaped 

 the sharp eyes of hungry birds. But I suppose a bird wotdd debate 

 for some time before tr>'ing to swallow this reptdsive, bristling 

 mass of stiff hairs, even if there was a dainty morsel within. At 

 last Samia must leave the bare home cupboard and shift for her- 

 self. But saplings were nxmierous and Samia's tastes cosmopoH- 

 tan. She was not very particular on what kind of greens she 

 dined, although willows were, perhaps, most to her liking. 



But Samia began to feel the discomfort that presaged some 

 change in her hfe. As she fed and grew, her hairy coat became 

 too small for her increasing bulk. Ill at ease, she clung Hstlessly 

 to a twig in the bright stmshine, when, suddenly, she felt the old 

 dress spht down the back. She promptly crawled out and foimd 

 that beneath the old skin a new one, tender at first, but which 

 soon became firm and tough. This new dress was a delicate green, 

 ornamented with a double row of gorgeous blue and orange spiny 

 buttons. Still the business of life was to eat, and so this showy 

 dress was soon outgrown and the discarded garment htmg up on an 

 convenient twig. This was a frequent practice with Samia, as 



