28 



NATURAL HISTORY OF INSECTS. 



Fig.* 80. 



skin by a strong ligament. It soon withdraws the hind part 

 of its body out of the old skin, and remains suspended by 

 this ligament (Fig. 79, c)\ it then elongates its body and 

 fastens the hooks at the hind end of the latter into the bunch 

 of silk above the point where the old skin is attached, and by 

 whirling around it breaks the ligament and dislodges the old 

 skin; after which it remains perfectly quiet and gradually 

 becomes contracted to its proper size and form (Fig. 80). 



v In the course of a week or so its colors 

 darken, and the spots on the wings of the 

 inclosed butterfly can be quite plainly seen 

 through the thin and nearly transparent pupa- 

 skin; soon the latter is burst near the anterior 

 or lower end, and the enfolded butterfly comes 

 forth. At first its wings are short and limp, 

 but they gradually expand and harden, and 

 soon attain their proper form and size (Fig. 81 ). 



All insects which are worm-like when issuing from the egg, 

 pass through the same stages as the Butterfly, although not 

 always in the same manner. Some spin a shroud of cocoon 



Fig. 81. 



(Fig 82) around their bodies before entering the pupa state ; 

 others enter the earth and prepare smooth cells (Fig. 83.) ; 

 while still others assume this state while in the plants or others 



