Not only is the integument, with its hairs, setæ, and other armatures, as well as the cornea or facets of the eyes, shed, but also all the lining or intima of those internal organs which have been originally derived by an ingrowth or invagination of the ectoderm are likewise cast off, with the probable exception, of course, of the mid-intestine, which is endodermal in its origin. Even so early an observer as Swammerdam noticed that the internal lining of the alimentary canal comes away with the skin. He states that the larva of Oryctes nasicornis sheds both the lining of the colon, and of the smaller as well as the larger branches of the tracheæ.
Careful observations are still needed on the internal changes at ecdysis of most insects. Newport seems to have observed more closely than any one else, notwithstanding the great number who have reared caterpillars but have not carefully observed these points, the extent of the process internally. He informs us: “The lining of the mouth and pharynx, with that of the mandibles, is detached with the covering of the head, and that of the large intestines with the skin of the posterior part of the body, and besides these also the lining of the tracheal tubes. The lining of the stomach itself, or the portion of the alimentary canal which extends from the termination of the œsophagus to the insertion of the so-called biliary vessels, is also detached, and becomes completely disintegrated, and appears to constitute part of the meconium voided by the insect on assuming its imago state.” (Art. Insecta, p. 876.) Newport states on another occasion that he had “noticed the remarkable circumstance [now explained by the fact that the mid-intestine is of endodermal origin] that the mucous lining of the true ventriculus was not cast off with the rest, but was discharged with the fecula.”[[96]] Burmeister also observed that the smaller tracheæ as well as the internal tunic of the colon of Libellulæ are shed.
In the apodous larvæ of Hymenoptera which live in cells, as we have observed in those of Bombus, during the process of moulting, the delicate skin breaks away in shreds, probably owing to the tension due to the unequal growth of the different parts of the body. “Thus after the skin beneath has fully formed, shreds of the former skin remain about the mouth-parts, the spiracles, and anus. Upon pulling upon these, the lining of the alimentary tube and tracheæ can be drawn out, sometimes, in the former case, to the length of several lines.”[[97]] We then added, “As all these internal systems of vessels are destined to change their form in the pupa, it may be laid down as a rule in the moulting of insects and Crustacea, that the lining of the internal organs, which is simply a continuation of the outer tegument, or arthroderm, is, in the process of moulting, sloughed off with that outer integument.” We have satisfied ourself that in the larvæ of the Lepidoptera (e.g. Datana) the tracheæ at the time of ecdysis undergo a complete histolysis, and arise de novo from hypodermal cells, the so-called spiral threads originating from elongated peritracheal nuclei. (See p. 449, Fig. 412.) This is undoubtedly also the case with the salivary ducts, which are strengthened and rendered elastic by tænidia like those of tracheæ. As the urinary tubes are diverticula of the proctodæum, itself an ectodermal invagination, they may also, though not lined with a chitinous intima, be renewed. With little doubt the intima of the ducts of poison, spinning, and most, if not all the other glands, though certainly the dermal glands, is exuviated. We have found that the lobster in moulting sheds, besides the skin with the most delicate setæ, the lining of the proventriculus, and the apodemes of the head and thorax, hence it is most probable that the tentorium of the head of insects as well as the apodemes and phragmas of the thorax are exuviated.
The formation of the inner skin, or that of any succeeding stage (instar), is due to the secretion of the structureless chitinous layer by the cells of the hypodermis, during the process of histogenesis. These cells at this time are very active, and the formation of the new layer of chitin arrests the supply of nourishment to the old skin, so that it dries, hardens, and with the aid of the fluid thrown out at this time separates from the new chitinous layer secreted by the hypodermis.
Mention of this fluid, which Newport was the first to observe, and which he says causes the separation of the old from the underlying fresh integument of the caterpillar, recalls a passage in Hatchett-Jackson’s Studies in the morphology of the Lepidoptera, which we quote on a succeeding page, where he calls attention to the formation of such a liquid, which in the reptiles facilitates the process of moulting, adding, “Whether such is the case with the moult of the caterpillar, I do not know.” Is it not also possible that the growth of the setæ or tubercles on the cuticle of the caterpillar may likewise serve to loosen and detach the overlying skin about to be cast off? After writing the foregoing, we find that Miall and Denny have suggested that the setæ of the cockroach probably serve the same purpose as the casting-hairs of the crayfish and reptiles.
It is well known that in the crayfish and in lizards the skin is first loosened by the growth of temporary hairs or setæ, which locally grow inward from the old cuticle and push the skin away when it is shuffled off by the movements of the body, jaws, and limbs, as well as the body in general.[[98]]
Such spines arise in the pupa of many insects, for Verhoeff finds that the spines and teeth of pupal fossorial and other Hymenoptera, as well as Coleoptera, function as moulting-processes for loosening and pushing off the last larval skin, rather than for locomotion. He also claims that the spines of the pupa of the dipterous Anthrax are both for locomotion and for boring, especially the spines on the head and tail. He therefore divides these pupal spines into helcodermatous (boring or tearing) and locomotor spines.
Gonin has fully confirmed Newport’s discovery of the exuvial fluid. He states that during pupation the outside of the pupa, especially the parts of the head and thorax “is coated with a viscous liquid secreted by special glands.” The parts only harden subsequent to pupation after exposure to the air (p. 41). His observations were made under the direction of Professor Bugnion, who kindly writes us:—
“M. Gonin has proved the formation of a liquid which passes under the cuticle at the time of the last moult and facilitates exuviation. We think that this liquid is secreted by large cells (unicellular glands) which we see especially on the surface of segments 1–3. These cells form part of the hypodermis, and their pores open under the cuticle.”
In a subsequent letter enclosing a sketch kindly made for me by M. Gonin (Fig. 566), Professor Bugnion writes me Aug. 24, 1897, regarding the functions of the large hypodermal cells (l. hy), as follows: “It seems to me, in fact, after having again examined the sections, that the function of these cells is not sufficiently elucidated. Indeed these cells occur only in the section passing through the 1st segment, between the head and 1st thoracic segment. It would seem, if these cells supply the liquid which lubricates the surface at the time of ecdysis, that they should be spread over the entire surface of the body. Moreover, these cells have no distinct orifice, and although there is seen at times to issue streams of a substance (coagulated by the reagents), they cannot be compared with true unicellular glands like those of the epidermis of fishes, amphibians, etc.