10 



THE ALDERMAN BUTTERFLY. 



There must then, I think, be some other reason for these caterpillars 

 hiding themselves in this manner, and I am inclined to believe it can 

 be no other than their desire to be solitary. In accordance with this 

 view, we find the eggs always laid singly and apart ; and it is well 

 known to naturalists, that all caterpillars originating from eggs thus 

 deposited are solitary, as those originating from clustered eggs are 

 gregarious. The latter moreover remain in company so long as they 

 are in the caterpillar state, while the former always occur dispersed, 

 and lead a solitary life. In this manner, then, the caterpillars under 

 notice live from the time they are hatched, and even exhibit the same 

 disposition when they prepare for their change into the chrysalis state, 

 as we shall afterwards see. 



As to their manner of growth', such caterpillars differ widely from 

 other animals which grow regularly in all their parts as they are sup- 

 plied with nourishment ; but our caterpillars, on the contrary, grow 

 only in their inward parts, whose increase puffs out the skin or outer 

 covering that does not grow, and hence becomes too small, so that 

 at length it must give way. In fact, it actually does so, and this hap- 

 pens more than once during its life; a circumstance which I term the 

 casting of the skin, and which is thus performed. A few days before 

 the skin is cast, the caterpillar remains nearly stationary in the same 

 place, and leaves off eating. About this period, the neck or hind part 

 of the head may be observed to swell, in consequence of which the 

 old skin becomes more stretched, the inner skin is separated from the 

 outer, and in some smooth caterpillars the head may be discerned 

 shining through. The old skin becomes gradually 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 are 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 conse- 

 quence of their minuteness, 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 wonderful fact, the incomprehensible 

 operations of an all-powerful Creator ! and where is the man who 

 could imitate these astonishing productions ? 



