18 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 



detached, and at length bursts asunder ; the head 

 with its new skin appearing through the opening,, 

 and successively the fore parts of the body, and the 

 feet. Afterwards, by repeated movements, the 

 caterpillar strips off the old skin altogether, and 

 appears in a new dress, which, as far as regards the 

 one under our notice, differs little from the old one 

 in colour and appearance. The head, however, is 

 little larger, as are the spines and small hairs. 



" With respect to the latter, it is remarkable 

 that the new spines and hairs appear to have been 

 inserted in the old ones as in sheaths, from which 

 they are drawn out when the skin is cast. I infer 

 from this circumstance, that these spines and hairs 

 are hollow, though in consequence of their minute- 

 ness, some of them being barely visible to the naked 

 eye, we cannot well demonstrate this otherwise. 

 Who, I may ask, does not perceive in this wonder- 

 ful fact, the incomprehensible operations of an all- 

 powerful CREATOR ! and where is the man who 

 could imitate these astonishing productions ? 



" Our caterpillar, after casting its skin and rest- 

 ing a little, begins again to eat the leaves of the 

 nettle. I may mention, that all caterpillars do 

 not cast their skins the same number of times ; but 

 with respect to the present ones, they cast their 

 skins four times, and as they grow quickly, the 

 castings closely follow each other, at due intervals 

 between. I have traced this in two of these cater- 



