THE LIFE HISTORY OF BUTTERFLIES 



Almost all insects undergo great changes, or metamorphoses, during their 

 existence. Butterflies furnish no exception to this statement. They exist first 

 as eggs; then they appear as caterpillars; the third stage is that of the chrysalis; the 

 final stage is that of the imago, or perfectly developed insect 



THE EGGS OF BUTTERFLIES 



The eggs of butterflies are beautiful objects when examined under a glass. 

 They have various forms. Some are spheres or half spheres, some are conical, cylin- 

 drical or spindle-shaped, others are flat and resemble little cheeses, and still others 

 have the form of turbans. There is endless variety of form displayed within certain 

 limits. Their surfaces may be quite smooth or they may be adorned with raised 

 ribs and sculpturings (see Plate C, Figs. / and g] or marked with little pittings or 

 depressions arranged in geometrical patterns. They vary in color. Some are 

 white, some pale green, or blue-green; others are yellow, orange, red, or purple. 

 They are often spotted and marbled like the eggs of some birds. 



The eggs of butterflies are deposited by the female upon the plants which are 

 appropriate to the development of the larvae. Caterpillars are very rarely promis- 



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