icroscope they appear different sizes. Their d edge, is notched, and concealed edge, is proIl pedicle, like the little As the leaf of a tree to s stem or pedicle is inOve in the substance of us secured to its place. nt of the scales is such ap like the shingles on use, exposing about twoength to view.

f these scales is astonishek, an accurate observer, Is of 400,000 on the wings th, an insect not more the size of some of our and by actual count an a butterfly's wing con,000 scales. Though they and so numerous, there ales alike. Each one is lace it occupies in the atline, and color, as accumechanic fits in its place a complicated machine. diversity," the great law early seen. Each species beculiarly outlined scale, ee has its own leaf. The th is distinguished from butterfly chiefly in this e butterfly scale is heartower end, while the moth es in a point which is dethe stem that holds it to moths, also, long hairs are with the scales, so as to g8 the appearance of being down. This is the case cock Moth represented in

s it that the variety of the tline of the scales is so not because each scale is ed to the special tint which to give to the wing? Any form, by the shortening or f a single tooth in the tip

of the scale, would mar the beauty of the marking and the perfection of the shading of the spots. In a single scale we see nothing that displays great skill or task in outline, and there would be no difficulty in drawing a more accurate mathematical figure, and one that would conform more fully to our idea of the beautiful; but when we look at the rich coloring of the wing, the regularity of the spots by which each species is distinguished, and the perfect blending and shading of the varied hues, we are astonished at the exquisite taste and admirable skill manifested in the structure of this wonderful mosaic."

Another distinction between butterflies and moths is seen in their antenna. The antenna are the long, prominent organs which project from the head of the insect. They are feather-like in the moth represented in the cut, and look very much like two small wings growing out of its head. In butterflies this organ is thread-like, and terminates in a bulb, so that it has the appearance of a club, with its small end fastened to the head. Hence entomologists have made a clumsy word to describe the butterflies' antennæ, and call them clubiform. The antennæ of moths are of various shapes, and serve to distinguish the different species, but none are clubiform. Some are long and slender, and terminate in a hook, others terminate gradually in a point, and others, as the silk mothsone of which is represented in the cut— are like a feather, and they are called featheriform, and sometimes pectinated, because this word means like a comb or feather. Now, if my readers will only remember new terms when thus explained, I will be able by their use to describe important parts of insects more accurately, and their knowledge of scientific terms will be increased, so that they can read with profit the books that are printed on this subject. The antennæ

Uncle Samuel in Schoolday Visitor, vol. XIV,

page 173.

er expects to spend his uld be kept in being of food. If the lifeis so great, surely the of the Christian will his new and heavenly ernally.

as furnished us with a al illustration of the

71

greater peacock, to distinguish this moth from the Emperor Moth, which is called Saturnia pavonia-minor, and is the largest moth in the British isles. Another reason why the name "peacock" is given to this insect is, doubtless, because this bird was sacred to Juno, and therefore called the bird of Juno. When the Queen of Heaven sat on her throne

opean moths, known as

Moth," from the eyes it gs, and which scientific rnia pavonia-major." Now eaders are Latin scholars the meaning of this scibut for the benefit of explain it. Saturnia, the is one of the names of of Jupiter, the supreme eeks and Romans. Juno ter of Saturn, and hence This insect was honored eric name, doubtless, on beauty, and because this s contains the largest and s in the world. Pavoniaecific name, means the

some peacocks sat beside her, and she is sometimes represented as carried through the air in a rich chariot drawn by royal peacocks.

The wings of the Peacock Moth expand upwards of six inches, and is, therefore, the largest native insect in Europe. It is never found farther north than the latitude of Paris. "Its wings are brown, waved, and variegated with gray. Each of them has a large black eye-shaped spot, surrounded by a tawny circle, surmounted by one white semicircle, and by another of a reddish hue, the whole completely inclosed in a black circle." So large are these moths, and so thickly set with fur-like down, that when they fly one, not knowing them,

But the beauty of this moth is not confined to its perfect state. Its caterpillar is large and of a beautiful green color, splendidly marked with bluishgreen knobs, each of which has seven stiff divergent hairs, one of the seven being long and wavy, with a small bulb at the end. These hairs are sometimes called the clothing of the caterpillar, and so necessary are they to the welfare of insects that some caterpillars die when they are cut off. What particular use they are to the caterpillar is not known. They may be to it a means of defense. The hairs of the larva of the Saturnia Io, an American species of this insect, sting like the spines of the thistle, so that they can not be handled with impunity. And it may be that birds, the caterpillar's greatest foe, may by this provision of an All-wise Creator, be prevented from destroying them.

You see in the caterpillar, as represented in the cut, twelve divisions, and in eight of these divisions small holes just below the middle row of star-like spines. These are the breathing-holes of the worm, of which it has sixteen. The first three segments are provided with two legs each, making the six legs which are afterwards transformed into the legs of the moth. Its ten other legs belong to its caterpillar state, and are used to support its long, fleshy body. Each of these legs terminates in a padded foot, having hooks on its outer and inner edge, by which it clings more firmly to the branch on which it crawls. These disappear in its second or pupa state. This caterpillar lives principally on the elm, but will eat also the leaves of the pear, plum, and other trees.

When it has fulfilled its life-work as a caterpillar, it deliberately and thoughtfully prepares for the great change through which it must pass before it bathes its beautiful wings in the evening

turbed, in the great workshop of nature, it may be reconstructed and fitted with organs suited to the new life of activity which awaits it. Here it spins a brown cocoon of coarse silk of great strength, and within this silken coffin it lays itself down to rest. And if we could only witness the wonderful activities of nature in this secluded chamber, how great would be our admiration and astonishment to see how the dark chrysalis is formed for the better protection of the worm, and how within this inner chamber agencies are at work remodeling the organs-putting on each side of the head those wonderful eyes, compounded each of more than seventeen thousand distinct lenses-shaping the legs into the long and graceful legs of the perfect insect-drawing out the membrane into the large and magnificent wingsforming the colored scales and placing them with true mechanical skill in their respective positions on the wings and the body-and fitting up with joints and feathers its horn-like head-dress! And when the warm sunny days of spring inspire with fresh life the sleeping energies of the animal and vegetable world, the worm, no longer a caterpillar shunned and hated, but adorned with new beauties, and fully equipped with its new and untried organs, breaks through its double wrappings and unfolds its gorgeous wings in the calm hour of evening twilight, and goes forth to complete its higher life-work. It is now known as the favorite bird of Juno, and it would not disgrace her throne, nor her royal chariot, if employed in her queenly service.

"Child of the twilight!

Thy wings shall now, rich as an evening sky,
Expand and shut with silent ecstasy.
Yet wert thou once a worm, a thing that crept
On the bare earth, then wrought a tomb,

and slept!

And such is man; soon from his cell of clay,