Microscopical Essays. 



mu ft make to put off it's prefent form, and the (late of weak- 

 nefs and impotence under which it muft ex ill while in the pupa 

 ft ate, it would undoubtedly chufe the moft convenient place, the 

 moft advantageous fituation, for the performance of this arduous 

 operation ; one where it would be the leaft expofed to danger, 

 when it had neither ftrength to refift, nor fwiftnefs to avoid the 

 attack of an enemy. 



All thefe neceflary inftruclions the caterpillar receives from 

 the influence of an all-regulating Providence, which conveys the 

 proper information to it by it's own fenfations : hence, when the 

 critical period approaches, it proceeds as if it knew what would 

 be the refult of it's operations. Different fpecies prepare them- 

 felves for this ftate in different ways, fuited to their nature and 

 the length of time they are to remain in this ftate. 



When the caterpillar has attained to it's full growth, and 

 the parts of the future butterfly are fufhciently formed beneath 

 it's fkin, it prepares for it's change into the pupa ftate ; it feeks for 

 a proper place in which to perform the important buftnefs : the 

 different methods employed by thefe little animals to fecure this 

 Hate of reft, may be reduced to four: 1. Some fpin webs, or 

 cones, in which they inclofe themfelves; 2. Others conceal 

 themfelves in little cells, which they form under ground ; 3. Some 

 fufpend themfelves by their pofterior extremity ; 4. While others 

 are fufpended by a girdle that goes round their body. We {hall 

 defcribe the variety in thefe, as well as the induftry ufed in con- 

 ftrucldng them, after we have gone through the manner in which 

 the caterpillar prepares itfelf for and paffes through the pupa 

 ftate. 



4 Preparatory 



