26 BRITISH BUTTERFLIES. 



recognised this truth, when they gave the same name, 

 Psyche (Vvxrj}, to the soul, or spirit of life, and to the 

 butterfly, and sculptured over the effigy of one dead the 

 figure of a butterfly, floating away, as it were, in his 

 breath ; while poets of all nations have since followed 

 up the simile. 



And this analogy is not only a mere general resem- 

 blance, but holds good through its minute details to a 

 marvellous extent ; to trace which fully would require 

 volumes, while in this place the slightest sketch only 

 can be given. 



First, there is the grovelling caterpillar-state, em- 

 blematical of our present imperfection, but yet the state 

 of preparation and increase towards perfection, and that, 

 too, which largely influences the future existence. 



Many troubles and changes are the lot of the cater- 

 pillar. Repeated skin-shiftings and ceaseless industry 

 in his vocation are necessary, that within his set time 

 he may attain full growth and vigour. 



Then comes a mighty change : the caterpillar is to 

 exchange his worm-like form and nature for an exist- 

 ence unspeakably higher and better. But, as we have 

 seen, to arrive at this glory there is only one condition, 

 which is, that the creature must pass through another, 

 and, as it might seem, a gloomy state one anything 

 but cheerful to contemplate; for it must cease to eat, to 

 move, and to the eye to live. Yet, is it really dead 

 now, or do we, who have watched the creature thus far, 

 despair and call it lost 1 Do we not rather rejoice that 

 it rests from its labours, and that the period of its 

 glorification is at hand 1 



In the silent chrysalis state then our Psyche sleeps 

 away awhile, unaffected by the vicissitudes around it; 

 and, at last, when its appointed day arrives, bursts from 

 its cerements, and rises in the air a winged and joyous 

 being, to meet the sun which warmed it into new 

 life. Now it is a butterfly, bright emblem of pleasure 

 unalloyed. 



This happy consummation, however, is only for the 



