. Butterflies and moths (British). Butterflies; Insects -- Great Britain. 24 STBVCTVBE OF THE LEPIDOPTEBA authoritative observers, the lining of the digestive organs, which is really a continuation of the outer skin, is cast off (or rather cast out) at the same time, as are also the linings of the larger breathing tubes which are presently to be described. We have seen that some caterpillars, on quitting their egg cases (which may really be regarded as the first moult), make their first meal of the old covering. 80 also some of them, in their future moultings, exhibit an apparently useless eco
. Butterflies and moths (British). Butterflies; Insects -- Great Britain. 24 STBVCTVBE OF THE LEPIDOPTEBA authoritative observers, the lining of the digestive organs, which is really a continuation of the outer skin, is cast off (or rather cast out) at the same time, as are also the linings of the larger breathing tubes which are presently to be described. We have seen that some caterpillars, on quitting their egg cases (which may really be regarded as the first moult), make their first meal of the old covering. 80 also some of them, in their future moultings, exhibit an apparently useless economy (seeing that they are surrounded by an abundance of their natiu'al vegetable diet) by devouring their old coats! In the face of this fact -we can hardly describe them as strict vegetarians. Having thus passed through its first hard- ship, the caterpillar has by no means seen the end of the troubles and dangers that beset it; for, during its existence in the larval state, it has to go through a series of three, four, five, or even six moults, all of which are periods of considerable inconvenience, and perhaps even pain, and frecjuently prove fatal. And it is by no means an uncommon thing to meet with the lifeless body of an unfortunate individual who, as shown by its shabby appearance and the silken carpet under its feet, has evidently fallen a ^ictim to the dangerous process of ridding itself of an old garment. But this is only one of the many dangers to which caterpillars are exposed. Throughout ever3' hour of the day the sharp and hungry eyes of the numerous insect-eating birds are searching the leaves for such delicacies to satisfy the wants of themselves and their broods. The lively little lizards, too, during the sunny hours are busily engaged in searching them out among the foliage of heaths and banks. Very formidable enemies also exist in the form of Ichneumon and other species of fiies, which pierce the skins of caterpillars witli their sharp ovipositors, and lay t
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectbutterf, bookyear1894
