64 OF THE LARVA STATE. 
fitted to its nature, to which it may retire for the pur- 
pose of being transformed from one state of existence 
to another. It spins some silky filaments, generally 
attached to the under side of flowers, the crevice of 
a wall, or such safe retreat ; and again its skin 
separates from the body, exhibiting the animal in its 
third condition. This Linneus called the pupa. 
When we know the astonishing numbers of eggs 
produced by various species of lepidopterous insects, 
we may wonder what becomes of them, for we see 
few, comparatively, of the perfect insects to these 
eggs, or even to the caterpillars of some species we 
mect with. The Creator of all things has, in his 
wisdom, checked the progress of these destructive 
larvee, by forming a genus of insects to prey upon 
them, diminutive in their size when compared to 
the caterpillars. These are termed Ichneumons 
by Linneeus, and Miecrogaster by the celebrated 
French entomologist Latreille. Professor Rennie, in 
treating of these little destructors, says, “ It must 
have occurred to the least attentive observer of the 
Cabbage Butterfly, (Pontia brassice,) that when 
it ceases to feed, and leaves its natural cabbage to 
creep up walls and palings, it is often transformed 
into a group of little balls of silk, of a fine texture, 
and a beautiful canary yellow colour ; from each of 
which there issues, in process of time, a small four- 
winged fly, (Microgaster glomoratus spinola,) of a 
black colour, except the legs, which are yellow. By 
