THE TRANSFORMATION. 
125 
think it miraculous, and scarcely believe that this 
elegant insect lay hidden, not only in the 
chrysalis, but in the body of the caterpillar. 
Indeed, it must ever remain one of the marvels 
of creation. 
Many years ago, before the study of natural 
history was as much thought about as it is now, 
a Grand Duke of Tuscany paid a visit to Holland. 
He went to see everything thing that was worth 
looking at ; and all manner of attentions were 
paid him by the rich and noble of the land. 
But, one day, the famous naturalist, Swam¬ 
merdam, called upon him, and brought something 
in his hand, that he said was a great curiosity, 
and better worth looking at than anything the 
Grand Duke had yet seen. And what do you 
think it was ? It was only a caterpillar, just 
about to change into a chrysalis! 
He plunged it in spirits of wine for a few 
minutes, and then called the Duke to notice, 
how in the body of one creature, another, and 
quite unlike it, was hidden. 
Here was the butterfly, in her first and hum¬ 
blest state of being, veiled in the lowly form of 
the caterpillar. Every part could be distinctly 
traced. The wings were rolled up tight, and 
packed between the first and second rings of the 
body; the antennas and the trunk were coiled up 
in front of the head, and the legs, though rather 
