Of the Chrysalis or Aurelia.
During its Continuance in the Chrysalis State, it seems to have no Sense but Feeling; and some of them have even that in a very low Degree, for they may be touched pretty roughly without moving.
The Chrysalides or Aureliæ of the Butterfly-Kind are all very beautiful; some of them look as if they were studded with Gold; some are striped, others spotted, and others mottled with all the various Colours of the Rainbow. But those of the Moth-Kind are not so; differing very little from one another, either in Shape or Colour, except the Magpye, and some few besides.
How the Aurelia or Chrysalis is secured.
Nothing in Nature is perhaps more deserving Notice, than the many different Methods whereby Caterpillars conceal and secure themselves whilst in this helpless and unactive Condition.
Some of them spin a large Case of Silk in Form of an Egg, wherein the Chrysalis lies concealed, till the Time comes for the Fly to make its Appearance, which it does by piercing through this Case.
Of such Cases there are several Sorts, different in Form and Colour:
Some are long, and drawn out to a Point at each End; others are more round.
The Texture of some is very thick and close.
Others are thin, like Gause, insomuch that the Chrysalis may be seen thorough them.
Some Aureliæ are white, some yellow, and others of different Hues; and most of the hairy Caterpillars intermix their Hair amongst the Spinning.
Some Caterpillars form a hard-crusted Case, composed of silk Threads glewed together, in such Manner as to become hard like an Egg-shell, so that when the Fly comes out, a round Hole like a Door appears.
The Silk-spinning Caterpillars are of various Kinds, and deposit their Aureliæ in different Places, and in different Manners, viz. some fasten them on the Leaves and Stalks of Plants, without any Covering; others spin the Leaves over them; others lodge them in Holes and Crevices; and others in the Earth.
Many of the Moth-Kind place their Chrysalis in the Earth, about an Inch or two deep, surrounding it with a Case of Earth lined with a glutenous Matter, that no Wet can penetrate: And what is very surprizing, notwithstanding the extreme Delicacy and Tenderness of the Fly when first bred, be the Ground never so hard, it makes its way thorough it without ruffling a single Feather.
Few, if any, of the Butterfly-Kind form a Case or Spinning, except what fastens the Tail and Body of the Chrysalis. Some hang perpendicularly downwards, and others in an horizontal Position, being fastened by the Tail, with a Thread round the Back and on each Side. Some are secured within the Leaves spun together; others are hid in the Hollows and Barks of Trees; and others again under the Copings of Walls, in Houses, Sheds, &c.