480 1NSECTA. 



Neither the first nor the second states of the insect produce the forma- 

 tion of every part which is afterwards to be found in the third and fourth 

 states. But this we find to be the case in the first life of the most per- 

 fect animals ; for, whatever parts we find in the adult, are also to be found 

 in the foetus. However, the second state of the insect, or the caterpillar, 

 is producing some parts that are found in the adult, such as the parts 

 of generation. It is a life preparing for the adult, and is itself endowed 

 with parts some of which are only adapted for the second state, and do 

 not exist in the adult, while others do; and many of those that do 

 remain are altered, as much as the same parts can differ from one 

 another in any two distinct animals, viz. the digestive organs ; although 

 they continue to live upon the same food in both states, as the wasp, 

 hornet, bee, &c. This is, perhaps, to adapt better the shape of the one part 

 to that of the other. However, there are alterations in the conformation 

 of the parts that must answer other purposes. 



So different are all these changes, that few traces of the first are left, 

 and no one would believe, when they are compared, that they both 

 originated from the same parent, or that the second would ever be like 

 the third or fourth. This circumstance of a double birth, with such a 

 deviation from themselves, obliges insects to be considered in four distinct 

 views, both as to their Natural History and their anatomy. In their 

 Natural History is to be considered, first, their propagation ; secondly, 

 their ways of life in the four states ; thirdly, their figures in the last 

 three states. Anatomically they are to be considered, first, as to what 

 parts are peculiar to each state ; secondly, what parts are entirely gone ; 

 thirdly, what are changed ; and fourthly, what are new or added. 



The external form of this class of animals in all their stages is well 

 marked, and, I suppose, understood ; especially the last, in which state 

 they have been principally considered and classed. "When in their 

 second stage, or after their first birth, I think they may be distinguished 

 into two kinds ; for they appear to have two very distinct characters. 

 I would call one ' caterpillar,' the other ' maggot.' The first will most 

 probably include all the butterfly and moth-kinds. The other, or second, 

 the fly, wasp, ant, and beetle-kinds. I suspect tbe caterpillar is not 

 stationary, but moves from place to place for food, at least as far as it 

 is necessary, viz. from leaf to leaf, or from branch to branch. But I 

 believe the maggot is more stationary, commonly keeping to the same 

 place, more especially those that are fed, as in the bee-tribe. I suspect 

 this last, or maggot, may be divided into several classes : there is one 

 class at least which is aquatic, as the second stage of the dragon-fly. 

 Their food in the different stages is very different. In the first it is 

 the contents of the egg which nourishes them ; in the second and fourth 



