292 



THE PHILOSOPHY 



the chryfalis ftate, which is a ftate of imbecillity, caterpillars feleit 

 the moft proper places and modes of concealing themfelves from 

 their enemies. Some, as the filk-worm, and many others, fpin filken 

 webs or cods round their bodies, which completely difguife the ani- 

 mal form. Others leave the plants upon which they formerly fed, 

 and hide themfelves in little cells which they make in the earth. 

 The rat- tailed worm abandons the water upon the approach of its 

 metamorphofis, retires under the earth, where it is changed into a 

 chryfalis, and, after a certain time, burfts from its feemingly inani- 

 mate condition, and appears in the form of a winged infedl. Thus 

 the fame animals pafs the firft and longeft period of their exiftence 

 in the water, another undei: the earth, and the third and laft in the 

 air. Some caterpillars, when about to change into a chryfalis ftate, 

 cover their bodies with a mixture of earth and of filk, and conceal 

 themfelves in the loofe foil. Others incruft themfelves with a filky 

 or glutinous matter, which they pufh out from their mouths, with- 

 out fpinning it into threads. Others retire into the holes of walls 

 or of decayed trees. Others fufpend themfelves to the twig3 of trees, 

 or to other elevated bodies, with their heads undermoft. Some at- 

 tach themfelves to walls, with their heads higher than their bodies, 

 but in various inclinations ; and others choofe a horizontal pofition. 

 Some fix themfelves by a gluten, and fpin a rope round their middle 

 to prevent them from falling. Thofe which feed upon trees attach 

 themfelves to the branches, inftead of the leaves, which- are lefs du- 

 rable, and fubjedl to a greater variety of accidents. The colours of 

 the caterpillars give no idea of thofe of the future flies. 



In general, the figure of chryfallds approaches to that of a cone, 

 efpecially in their pofterior part. When under this form, the infedt 

 feems to have neither legs nor wings. It is incapable either of walk- 

 ing or of crawling. It takes no nourifhment, becaufe it has no or- 

 gans fuited to that purpcfe ; yet, in fome fpecies, life is continued 



for 



