18 MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 
detached, and at length bursts asunder; the head 
with its new skin appearing through the opening, 
and successively the fore parts of the body, and the 
feet. Afterwards, by repeated movements, the 
caterpillar strips off the old skin altogether, and 
appears in a new dress, which, as far as regards the 
one under our notice, differs little from the old one 
in colour and appearance. The head, however, is a 
little larger, as ave the spines and small hairs. 
“ With respect to the latter, it is remarkable 
that the new spines and hairs appear to have been 
inserted in the old ones as in sheaths, from which 
they are drawn out when the skin is cast. I infer 
from this circumstance, that these spines and hairs 
are hollow, though in consequence of their minute- 
ness, some of them being barely visible to the naked 
eye, we cannot well demonstrate this otherwise. 
Who, I may ask, does not perceive in this wonder- 
ful fact, the incomprehensible operations of an all- 
powerful Creator! and where is the man who 
could imitate these astonishing productions ? 
“ Our caterpillar, after casting its skin and rest- 
ing a little, begins again to eat the leaves of the 
nettle. I may mention, that all caterpillars do 
not cast their skins the same number of times ; but 
with respect to the present ones, they cast their 
skins four times, and as they grow quickly, the 
castings closely follow each other, at due intervals 
between, I have traced this in two of these cater- 
