are seen naked in the flower, whose only business then is to increase and multiply its kind: for the 

 exit of the butterfly from the lawa, and the evolution of flowers is accomplished in the same 

 way. 



The outer bark (cortex) splits, and is converted into a permanent CALYX, which becomes 

 the outer covering of the flower, and protects the tender fruit. 



The inner bark (liber) more pliant, and diaphanous, is further extended into the CO- 

 ROLLA adorned with colours, which placed like the wings of the butterfly, through the me- 

 dium of the air, vibrates and flutters, which motion otherwise it would not be able to procure. 



But the principal parts of the flowering body are the STAMINA and PISTILLA, so much 

 so, that no flower can be said to be without them. This appears to be the case up to the pre- 

 sent time, in the examination of so many thousands of flowers, so that there exists no true 

 flower, which does not possess these two organs. 



The STAMINA derive their origin from the ligneous substance (cortical part), which was 

 formerly the inner bark (liber). 



This appears most evident in the asarum (asarabacca), whose twelve stamina proceed from 

 twelve fibres found in the composition of the inner bark. 



Flowers with a plenitude of corolla (double flowers) illustrate this doctrine, where the stamina, 

 by receiving too much nutriment, are so softened and dissolved, that these become actual petals, 

 for the ligneous substance in them is thereby converted into the soft nature of the liber, whence 

 petals were, as we saw before, derived. 



All stamina possess vessels containing farina, which indeed they discharge, but not without 

 the strictest observance of the laws of Nature. 



through the external covering which its own industry has formed round it. In order to observe the manner in which it thus gets rid of the 

 aurelia covering, we must cut open the cone, and then we shall have an opportunity of discovering the insect's efforts to emancipate itself 

 from its natural shell. When this operation begins, there seems to be a violent agitation in the humours contained within the little animal's 

 body. Its fluids seem driven, by an hasty fermentation, through all the vessels ; while it labours violently with its legs, and makes several 

 other violent struggles to get free. As all these motions concur with the growth of the insect's wings and body, it is impossible that the 

 brittle skin which covers it should longer resist : it at length gives way, by bursting into four distinct and regular pieces. The skin of the 

 head and legs first separates; then the skin at the back flies open, and dividing into two regular portions, disengages the back and wings: 

 then there likewise happens another rupture in that portion which covered the rings of the back of the aurelia. After this, the butterfly, as 

 if fatigued with its struggles, remains very quiet for some time, with its wings pointed downwards, and its legs fixed in the skin which it 

 had just thrown off. At first sight the animal, just set free, and permitted the future use of its wings, seems to want them entirely: they 

 take up such little room, that one would wonder where they were hidden. But soon after, they expand so rapidly, that the eye can scarce 

 attend their unfolding, From reaching scarce half the length of the body, they acquire, in a most wonderful manner, their full extent and 

 bigness, so as to be each five times larger than they were before. Nor is it the wings alone that are thus increased : all their spots and paint- 

 ings, before so minute as to be scarce discernible, are proportionably extended ; so that, what a few minutes before seemed only a number of 

 confused, unmeaning points, now become distinct and most beautiful ornaments. Nor are the wings, when they are thus expanded, un- 

 folded in the manner in which earwigs and grasshoppers display theirs, who unfurl them like a lady's fan : on the contrary, those of butter- 

 flies actually grow to their natural size in this very short space. The wing, at the instant it is freed from its late confinement, is considerably 

 thicker than afterwards; so that it spreads in all dimensions, growing thinner as it becomes broader. If one of the wings be plucked from 

 the animal just set free, it may be spread by the fingers, and it will soon become as broad as the other, which has been left behind. As the 

 wings extend themselves so suddenly, they have not yet had time to dry; and accordingly appear like pieces of wet paper, soft, and full of 

 wrinkles. In about half an hour they are perfectly dry, their wrinkles entirely disappear, and the little animal assumes all its splendor. 



Those aurelias which are enclosed within a cone, find their exit more difficult, as they have still another prison to break through : this, 

 however, they perform in a short time; for the butterfly, freed from its aurelia skin, butts with its head violently against the walls of its 

 artificial prison ; and probably with its eyes, that are rough and like a file, it rubs the internal surface away ; till it is at last seen bursting its 

 way into open light ; and, in less than a quarter of an hour, the animal acquires its full perfection. 



Thus, to use the words of Swammerdam, we see a little insignificant creature distinguished, in its last birth, with qualifications and 

 ornaments, which man, during his stay upon earth, can never even hope to acquire. The butterfly, to enjoy life, needs no other food but 

 the dews of heaven; and the honeyed juices which are distilled from every flower. The pageantry of princes cannot equal the ornaments 

 with which it is invested; nor the rich colouring that embellishes its wings. The skies are the butterfly s proper habitation, and the air its 

 element: whilst man comes into the world naked, and often roves about without habitation or shelter; exposed, on one hand, to the heat of 

 the sun ; and, on the other, to the damps and exhalations of the earth; both alike enemies of his happiness and existence— A strong proof 

 that, while this little animal is raised to its greatest height, we are as yet, in this world, only candidates for perfection ! 



Of 



