RAPTORIAL TYPE OF LARV^. 59 



attitude. The head is never immoderately large nor dis- 

 proportionably small^ but of a just proportion to the 

 rest of their body. Their shape is invariably long, as- 

 similating to the form of an lulus; and they are always 

 provided with feet, the body being cylindrical. Some- 

 times there is a little down upon their skin, but other- 

 wise this part is invariably smooth. They never conceal 

 themselves under any natural or artificial shelter when 

 feeding, but roam about; yet they do not leap, nor do 

 they ever frequent the water. It will be perceived that, 

 in many respects, the distinctions of this type of larva 

 are negative; yet such characters are just as good, and 

 in many cases better, than those which are drawn from 

 positive circumstances. The best examples we can name 

 of the larva we have now described, will be those of the 

 garden or cabbage butterflies: the swallow-tailed cater- 

 pillars also belong to this type, but are not so charac- 

 teristic as the former. 



(56.) The Raptorial type, in most groups, may be at 

 once known by having its body covered either with pun- 

 gent spines, or warty tubercles assuming the same shape. 

 Although unable to inflict injury by their bite, these 

 spines upon the surface of these caterpillars are almost 

 always sharp, and very frequenly have the property of 

 inflicting a pain and irritation much more severe than 

 we experience in the sting of a nettle. They are, in 

 fact, the type of evil ; and they show this in a remark- 

 able manner : if, as in some lepidopterous groups, al- 

 though not in the diurnal butterflies, the body is unde- 

 fended either by spines or tubercles, they have yet the 

 extraordinary habit of assuming various threatening or 

 terrific attitudes, in such a way as to intimidate the 

 spectator, and make him believe that they have the 

 power of inflicting upon him grievous bodily injury. 

 Nay, still further to show that particular reference they 

 bear to the noxious and ferocious among animals, and 

 to the evil and reprobate part of mankind, when they 

 change into chrysalis, they either bury themselves in 

 the earth, as if that was their final home, or, if the 



