Volume 1

The natural history of insects / [James Rennie].

  • Rennie, James, 1787-1867.
Date:
1829-1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The natural history of insects / [James Rennie]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    skin ; that skin, however, with its appendant legs and hooks, the chrysalis must cast off; but, although destitute of limbs or hooks, it yet contrives to fix it«elf on the same cone to which the caterpillar was attached. When the skin has been well thrust down, the insect seizes some part of it m one ot the indentations between two of the rings of its body : this secures a resting place, which enables it to with- draw its tail altogether from the old slum Wholly freed from its former covering, the chry- salis is now attached to a frail and withered slough and suspended in mid-air m a situation of great pen - It becomes now indispensable that it should fix itself to the silken cone. But to a creature hanging with its head downwards, and destitute of limbs, this would seem a hopeless undertaking. Destitute and helpless, however, as its condition appears, nature has not le.t it without adequate resources. It elongates that part of the body which is above the rings, by which it holds on, and seizes by the interval between two rings still higher than those, another part of its cater- pillar skin.' Having in this manner advanced by three or four steps to the required height, it it els