In the Aurelia State, such as have no Case are a Prey to Birds, &c. those in the Earth, to Moles, Mice, and other subterraneous Animals; and besides, great Numbers are destroyed by Frosts and Wet. In the Fly State they are a Prey to Birds, Batts, and many other Creatures.
There are four different Ways, in one or other of which all Animals of the Moth or Butterfly-Kind subsist during the Winter Season, viz.
- 1. Some in the Egg State.
- 2. Some in the Caterpillar State.
- 3. Some in the Chrysalis State.
- 4. And some in the Fly State.
It is likewise to be observed, that the several Species of them chuse different Places for their Residence
- 1. Some frequent Woods.
- 2. Some Plains and Heaths.
- 3. Some Hedges and Thickets.
- 4. Some Meads, and Mowing Grass.
- 5. And others marshy wet Grounds, &c.
Several Kinds of Caterpillars come forth of the Egg in July, August, September, and October,
remain in the Caterpillar State all the Winter, feed up in the Spring, then change into
the Chrysalis State, and produce Flies a few Weeks afterwards.
Others there are that continue in the Egg State all the Winter, are hatched in the
Spring, and feed up in about 45 Days: then change into the Chrysalis, and produce their Flies
in about 14 Days afterwards.
N. B. The Curious may be assured, that all these Observations are founded on real Facts,
and not on any Supposition or Conjecture.
And now, (as it seems exactly suitable to this Work) we shall beg Leave to close the Introduction
with a short Description of the Butterfly, taken from a Poem called The UNIVERSE,
which was written some Years ago
By Mr. Henry Baker.
SEE, to the Sun the Butterfly displays
Its glittering Wings, and wantons in his Rays:
In Life exulting, o’er the Meadows flies,
Sips from each Flow’r, and breathes the vernal Skies.