170 NATURE TEACHING. 



skin periodically to allow for growth in size. 

 When it is full grown and contains a large 

 amount of fat, it again sheds its skin and 

 appears as the ' chrysalis ' or 'pupa.' 



2. This stage is comparatively short and 

 is a period of rest, when the body of the per- 

 fect insect is built up anew from the body of 

 the caterpillar. At its close, the hard skin 

 cracks, and the fully developed moth or butter- 

 fly comes out. 



3. The perfect insect has two pairs of large 

 wings, clothed with scales, three pairs of long 

 jointed legs, large eyes and, in place of the 

 ja\vs of the caterpillar, a long tubular 'probosois' 

 which serves to suck up the honey which may 

 form its food. The female moth or butterfly 

 then seeks the right food-plant and deposits a 

 varying number of eggs, from which the cater- 

 pillars hatch. The eggs may be laid singly or 

 in clusters and are of very varied appearance. 

 The caterpillars that hatch therefrom are also 

 very varied, some being covered with spines or 

 bristles, others being coloured green or yellow. 

 Many grow to a very large size, as may 

 be seen in the caterpillar that eats the Frangi- 

 pani tree. The pupal stage is often spent on 

 the food-plant, sometimes in a cocoon, but 

 many chrysalides are found in the earth. 



