214 A COUNTRY READER. 



On the other hand, many of the bee-ties do 

 more harm than their grubs ; especially is this 

 the case with the turnip beetle. 



Transformation or Changes of Insects. 



If one thing is more wonderful than another 

 in this wonderful and beautiful world, we might 

 be inclined to say that the change or trans- 

 formation of insects is the most wonderful of all. 



Supposing we knew nothing about these 

 changes of insects and some one brought to us a 

 dowdy, crawling caterpillar, or an insignificant- 

 looking grub, and a lively graceful butterfly, or 

 glittering hard covered beetle, and said, " That 

 caterpillar and grub will one day change into 

 a butterfly and beetle of like appearance." 

 Should we believe it ? 



We should, more than likely, scoff, and say 

 that the thing was impossible. 



But every summer this transformation is going 

 on in myriads and myriads of insect lives. In the 

 trees, under bushes, in crevices of rocks, in the 

 open fields, amongst the crops, and in the bodies 

 of animals, the transformation scene is going on 

 without ceasing. As soon as the sun with suffi- 

 cient warmth 'touches the sleeping hidden insect 

 life it responds to the magic command by filling 

 air and soil with countless forms of living beauty 

 and grace. 



