dually formed under the {kin o f the animal, and only appear
fudden to us, becaufe the infra then gets rid o f a cafe which had
before concealed his real, members. Thefe transformations
clearly prove, that without repeated experience every thing in
nature would appear a myftery : for who, on confidering by the
mere light o f nature or reafon a gnat or butterfly in their fly or
perfeQ ftate, could have difcovered the relation which in this
ftate and form it bears to the feveral changes o f ftate, and their
correfponding forms, through which it has palled,* and which are
to appearance as diffin£l as difference can make them.
The life o f thofe infe&s which pafs through thefe various
changes, may be divided into four principal parts, each o f which
will be found truly worthy o f all the attention o f the microfcopic
obfrrver.
The firft change is from the egg into the l a r v a ; or, as it is
more generally called, into the worm or caterpillar.
Erom the l a r v a it pafles into the pupa, or chryfalis ftate.
From the pupa into the imago or fly ftate.
Few fubjefts can be found that are more expreflive of the ex-
tenftve goodnefs of Divine Providence, than thefe transformations,
in which we find the occafional and temporary parts and organs
o f
* All is phenomenon, and type on earth,
Replete -with facared and mytlerious birth.
Brooke’s Univerfal Beauty, b. v.
o f thefe little animals fuited and adapted with the moft minute
exaflnefs to the immediate manner and convenience o f their ex-
iftence; which again are Ihifted and changed, upon the infrcls
commencing a new fcene and ftate o f aclion.
In it’s larva ftate the infeft appears groveling, heavy, and voracious,
in the form o f a worm, with a long body, compofed o f
fucceflive rings; crawling along by the aflillance o f thefe, or
ftnall little hooks, which are placed on the fide of the body. It’s
head is armed with ftrong jaws, it’s eyes fmooth, entirely deprived
o f fex, the blood circulating from the hind part towards the
head. It breathes through fmall apertures, which are fituated on
each fide o f the body, or through one or more tubes placed in the
hinder part thereof. While it is in the larva ftate, the infra is as
it were mafked, and it’s true appearance concealed; for under
this malk the more perfect form is hidden from the human eye.
In the pupa ftate the infra may be compared to a child in
fwaddling clothes ; it’s members are all folded together under the
breaft, and inclofed within one or more coverings, remaining
there without motion. While in this ftate, no infra but thofe
o f the hemiptera clafs take any nourilhment. This change is
effefted various ways ; in fome infefts the {kin o f the larva opens,
and leaves a paffage, with all it’s integuments; in others, the
fkin hardens and becomes a fpecies o f cone, which entirely conceals
the infefts; others form or fpin cones for themfelves, and
in this ftate they remain till the parts have acquired fufficient
firmnefs, and are ready to perform their feveral offices.
The