pillar encloses itself in a cocoon, and becomes a 

 nymph, so called, because the insect is then 

 bound up and charged with bands. It is also 

 called chrysalis, from its being gilded and bril- 

 liant. It is, however, a mistaken notion that 

 there is any real metamorphosis or transforma- 

 tion undergone by the caterpillar to become a 

 perfect insect ; there is a change in form, in fea- 

 ture and in proportion, and in the developement 

 of certain organs of motion, but it appears that 

 all these organs existed in the individual in an 

 embryo state during each stage of its existence. 



>The life of the silk-worm divides itself into 

 three periods, which cannot be considered with- 

 out mingled admiration and pleasure. In its 

 first period it is produced under the form of a 

 worm, its body being lengthened and formed by 

 several membranous rings, fittfftohe one into the 

 other. It then walks with the assistance of sixteen 

 feet ; it has a little eminence on the last ring, 

 and its colour is a dirty white OE yellowish tint. 

 It changes its skin four times before making its 

 cocoon, which moults are attended with so much 

 danger, that, when educated (to use a term of art) 

 for artificial purposes, they cs*use a great num- 

 ber to perish. They prepare themselves for it 

 several days previously by ceasing to eat they 

 seek for solitude and spin a few threads of silk, 

 which they stick to leaves and on their skins. 

 Some days before they are to become a nymph, 

 they choose the most convenient place for their 

 cocoon, and then fix its point of rost, which con- 



* O.UWlk'*^fc- 



