70 STAUROPUS FAGI. 



slight variation of detail, for the remainder of the day 

 and evening continued the wonderful exhibition of 

 muscular power and endurance. 



At 10.35 p.m. the larva seemed getting restless and 

 continued to swing itself partly round on the twig, still 

 in the same circular posture, and in a minute or two 

 swung back again, and then commenced, gently at first, 

 writhing backwards and downwards, soon with 

 increasing energy. The anterior legs having lately 

 been folded together now began to alternately relax 

 outwards and contract again inwards close to the body 

 in what soon became a regular recurring rhythmic 

 movement in unison with the heavings of the breast, 

 until within twenty-five minutes of the expected event, 

 when suddenly most violent writhings and rapid twist- 

 ings ensued for the space of two or three minutes, and 

 then the slower measured movements were resumed. 

 The skin enveloping the head became glistening and 

 throbbed in parts with a slight inflation in accord with 

 the general heaving action of the larva ; presently a 

 series of very violent struggles occurred with the ante- 

 rior legs extended laterally. These efforts proved 

 effectual, for then at 11.35 p.m. the expected moment 

 came, when the skin suddenly burst all round the 

 throat, as it seemed then to be, close to the old head- 

 piece. 



Immediately there appeared a transverse yawning 

 rent, exposing the whitish head and tender glistening 

 bases of the short first pair of legs, held back at the 

 moment by their sheathing of old skin which quickly 

 drew off from them when they fell forward in their 

 natural position. The same measured heaving to and 

 fro movement continuing with incessant energy as the 

 old skin (rapidly blackening) drew back and next 

 exposed the basal joints of the second or longest pair 

 of legs, whose long femora were soon uncovered, yet 

 before their tibiae were freed the third pair of legs being 

 a little shorter and of unequal lengths were drawn out 

 from their sheathing and slipped forward first one (the 



