LEPIDOPTEROUS INSECTS. 113 



Its changes are an inexplicable enigma to us : we 

 see a green caterpillar, furnished with sixteen feet, 

 feeding upon the leaves of a plant ; this is changed 

 into a chrysalis, smooth, and of golden lustre, hanging 

 suspended to a fixed point, without feet, and sub- 

 sisting without food. This insect again undergoes 

 another transformation, acquiring wings and six feet, 

 and becomes a gay butterfly, sporting in the air, and 

 living by suction upon the honey of plants. What 

 has Nature produced more worthy of our admiration 

 than such an animal coming upon the stage of the 

 world, and playing its part there under so many 

 different masks?" 



It is no wonder that mankind were early struck 

 with these wonderful phenomena, and that the 

 ancients should have considered a butterfly as an 

 emblem of the human soul. It has afforded much 

 scope for poetry, and served to heighten the beauty of 

 allegorical fictions : here is an example of the latter : 



Now on broad pinions from the realms above, 

 Descending Cupid seeks the Cyprian grove ; 

 To his wide arms enamour'd Psyche springs, 

 And clasps her lover in aurelian wings. * 



* DARWIN'S Temple of Nature, 



