INSECTA— GRASSHOPPER. 831 



bunches, that seem to deform the sides of the animal ; there they lie rolled 

 up in a most curious manner, and occupying a smaller space than one could 

 conceive. Indeed, all insects, whatever transmutations they seem to un- 

 dergo, are yet brought forth with those very limbs, parts, and wings, which 

 they afterwards seem to acquire. In the most helpless caterpillar, there are 

 still to be seen the rudiments of that beautiful plumage which it afterwards 

 expands when a butterfly ; and though many new parts seem unfolded to 

 the view, the animal acquires none but such as it was from the beginning 

 possessed of. 



The grasshopper, that for above twenty days from its exclusion, has con- 

 tinued without the use of its wLogs, which were folded up to its body, at 

 length prepares for its emancipation, and for a life of greater liberty and 

 |.leasure. To make the proper dispositions tor the approaching change, it 

 ceases from its grassy food, and seeks about for a convenient place, beneath 

 some thorn or thistle, that may protect it from an accidental shower. The 

 same laborious writhings and workings, heavings and palpitations, which 

 we have remarked in every other insect upon an approaching change, are 

 exhibited in this. 



At length, the skin covering the head and breast is seen dividing above the 

 neck ; the head is seen issuing out first from the bursting skin ; the efforts 

 still continuing, the other parts follow successively ; so that the little animal 

 with its long feelers, legs and all, works its way from the old skin, that re- 

 mains fixed to the thistle or the thorn. It is, indeed, inconceiveable how 

 the insect thus extricates itself from so exact a sheath as that which covered 

 every part of its body. 



The grasshopper, thus disengaged from its outer skin, appears in its per- 

 fect form ; but then so feeble, and its body so soft and tender, that it may be 

 moulded like w^ax. It is no longer of that obscure color which it exhibited 

 before, but a greenish white, which becomes more vivid as the moisture on 

 the surface is dried away. Still, however, the animal continues to show no 

 signs of life, but appears quite spent and fatigued with its labor for more 

 than an hour together. During this time, the body is drying, and the wings 

 unfolding to their greatest expansion ; and the curious observer will perceive 

 them, fold after fold, opening to the sun, till at last they become longer than 

 the two hinder legs. The insect's body also is lengthened during this ope- 

 ration, and it becomes much more beautiful than before. 



