80 
INTRODUCTION. 
When the chrysalia is to be suspended horizon- 
tally, or in an inclined position, the caterpillar com- 
mences, as before, by fixing its hinder pro-legs to a 
button of silk spun for the purpose. But as some 
additional support is necessary in this case, it pre- 
pares a band of the same material for encircling its 
body near the middle. Different methods are prac- 
tised by caterpillars for fixing this cincture. The 
most simple, and least liable to accidents, is that 
adopted by the larva of the common Cabbage But- 
terfly, and other allied species. Availing themselves 
of the great flexibility of their bodies, they bend the 
head backwards to the point where the girdle is to 
be placed, and, after fixing the threads on one side, 
carry them over to the other, merely by turning 
the head in the opposite direction. Other caterpil- 
lars, -of which that of the Swallow-tail (P. Machaon, 
PI. III. fig. 1.) may serve as an example, spin their 
suspensory band, and fasten it at each end, allowing 
it to hang down in a loop, into which they insinuate 
their bodies after it is completed. But the threads 
not being agglutinated, or twisted into acompact cord, 
the creature could scarcely avoid being entangled 
among them in its passage, but for the dexterous 
use it makes of its fore-legs, which it employs to 
keep the band extended and in a proper position. 
Some time after the caterpillar has been thus at- 
tached to the under side of a branch, or some other 
object, the skin is cast nearly in the same manuer 
as formerly described, being ruptured on the back 
