206 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
There was no little anxiety, therefore, as to 
the result when the warm spring days returned. 
Would the long and carefully-watched cocoon 
prove the shroud of the embryo within? or 
would it bravely endure such severe trials, to 
come forth and prove what a giant of the Lepi- 
dopteran race had been safely rocked through 
such rough inclemency? At last the hour of 
decision came, and, much to the delight of the 
anxious watcher, the result was all that could 
wished. Creeping from its wintry cerements, 
a magnificent moth, known as the Atticus 
Prometheus, came forth—a giant of his tribe. 
When this splendid insect reached perfection 
it measured seven inches across the wings, a 
much larger specimen than had ever before 
come under the notice of the observer. It was, 
indeed, a splendid creature. Its long plumy an¬ 
tennae, soft velvety wings exquisitely variegated, 
and gaudily-ringed body made it a fascinating 
object, and one that has not tired inspection 
yet, for it is now before our eyes in this glass 
case, and is ‘ still beautiful in death.’ Along¬ 
side of it is the deserted mansion in which it 
so safely passed through the months of that 
dread winter. After the escape of the moth 
