40 LETTERS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 
all free, the next operation is to slip off the lower 
part towards the tail, and the chrysalis does this 
by swelling and contracting alternately, which 
pushes the skin gradually down, though some 
have an additional assistance in two rows of 
points which incline towards the tail. Thus 
aided, it soon pushes up the skin (for we must 
remember the head is downwards), and it is 
folded in a small packet round the place where 
the two hind feet are fastened. But how will 
the chrysalis disengage the skin, and yet remain 
suspended ? you may ask ; and indeed it seems a 
most perilous situation, but we must remark, 
that at the time of changing, the chrysalis is 
extremely soft and flexible; the rings or seg- 
ments then perform all the functions of limbs. 
It seizes between the rings a part of the folded 
skin, and pressing them together has a fine 
support; then it bends its body and draws it 
entirely from the skin. Next it stretches itself 
and seizes, between the rings above those it holds 
by, a higher part of the skin, lets go its hold of 
the first, and shortens itself again ; then repeats 
the movement, till the end of its body touches 
the ball of silk, and then it is suspended safely, 
for the end of the tail is furnished with a number 
of little hooks. But now having finished all 
