METHOD OF EATING. 



11 



differs in structure from that of the perfect insect, being 

 furnished with a pair of jaws, horny and strong, befit- 

 ting the heavy work they have to get through, and 

 shaped like pincers, opening and shutting from side to 

 side, instead of working up and down after the manner 

 of the jaws in vertebrate animals. This arrangement 

 offers great convenience to the creature, feeding, as it is 

 wont to do, on the thin edge of a leaf. It is a curious 

 sight to watch a caterpillar thus engaged. Adhering 

 by his close-clinging prolegs, and guiding the edge of 

 the leaf between his forelegs, he stretches out his head 

 as far as he can reach, and commences a series of rapid 

 bites, at each nibble bringing the head nearer the legs, 

 till they almost meet; then stretching out again the 

 same regular set of mouthfuls is abstracted, and so on, 

 repeating the process till a large semi-circular indenta- 

 tion is formed, reaching perhaps to the midrib of the 

 leaf; then shifting his position to a new vantage ground, 

 the marauder recommences operations, another sweep is 

 taken out, then another, and soon the leaf is left a mere 

 skeleton. 



But a change, far more important than mere skin- 

 shifting, follows close upon the animal's caterpillar- 

 maturity, complete as soon as it ceases to grow. 



The form and habits of a worm are to be exchanged 

 for the glories and pleasures of winged life ; but this 

 can only be done at the price of passing through an 

 intermediate state ; one neither of eating, nor of flying, 

 but motionless, helpless and death-like. 



