300 



INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS. 



vouring. This is, in fact, the nearest analogy which 

 occurs to us among the other classes of animals; 

 for the pupa, though it does not chew the cud like 

 the ox, assuredly rests for the purpose of digesting or 

 (if the term be preferred) of assimilating the cruder 

 fluids stored up by the caterpillar, and forming or 

 perfecting therefrom the organs and members of the 

 mature insect.* 



Some pupae have a slight motion, particularly of 

 the lower parts of the body, and a few others differ 

 little from the perfect insect, continuing to move and 

 feed ; but the greater number remain apparently mo- 

 tionless. That they have internal though impercep- 

 tible motions, however, is proved by their possessing 

 similar organs of respiration with caterpillars and 

 pefect insects. We have adverted, in a former page, 

 to the eighteen spiracles which communicate with 

 the double windpipe of caterpillars, and the same ap- 

 paratus is always found in chrysalides, situated on 

 the sides of the abdominal rings. This we think 

 might have convinced such distinguished observers 

 as Lyonnet andMuschenbrok, that the most quiescent 

 pupae could not exist without breathing. 



r, Chrysalis of Gonepteryx Rhamni. 6, pupa of Laria feucelina. 

 c } pupa of Sphinx Ligustri. 



* J. R. 



