134 NATURE STUDY LESSONS FOR PRIMARY GRADES 



were double rows, branching low down on the sides. 

 On this morning it attached itself to the side of the 

 jar by a web which it wove, and there it hung motion- 

 less, head downward, for some time. At half-past 

 one o'clock it began the task of disrobing. It first 

 drew in its head until it seemed heavily hooded, and 

 its true feet seemed drawn together under its chin ; 

 then began a series of shrinkings backward within it- 

 self, apparent chokings, shiverings, tremblings, and 

 gaspings, the body swelling out and then contracting. 

 The head gradually sank farther back into the hood, 

 leaving only a tiny yellow triangle. The greatest 

 movement was now noticeable at the posterior 

 extremity. The skin there stretched as if it would 

 break, and became so thin we could see through it. 

 At last the old skin at the front broke and the cater- 

 pillar worked out in front, pushing the skin back as 

 it worked forward until the old coat came off at the 

 back. Then the caterpillar threw its head about 

 from side to side until the old headpiece dropped off. 

 This changing of the coat occupied one hour. Occa- 

 sionally the caterpillar rested. After the old head- 

 piece had fallen off the caterpillar went back into 

 its web and rested about twenty minutes, then ate 

 up the coat it had just shed. Within two or three 



