On the different Manner of laying their Eggs.
All Butterflies and Moths lay a great Number of Eggs, some even as far as two or three Hundred. The Eggs of some Kinds are glutenous, or covered with a glewy Moisture; but those of others are not so: The glutenous are fixt (sometimes singly) on Grass, the Leaves of Trees, Shrubs, &c. and sometimes in Clusters after the same Manner. Some Sorts of Eggs are laid naked or uncovered, and others are cloath’d with a sort of Down, &c. Some Flies lay them in a Spiral Line, or Screw-like Figure, round a small Twigg, a Stalk of Grass, &c. And these may be pulled off entire, in Fashion like a Cylindrical Tube, and as hard as Horn: Others deposit theirs in the Chinks of the Barks of Trees, &c. &c. &c.
It is observeable, that the whole Process from the Egg, to the Fly, of many Species, is perform’d in about sixty Days. But the Goat Moth is an Exception to this Rule, being reported to be three Years proceeding from the Egg to the Fly State.
Of the Eggs.
The Eggs are of various Forms; some are round, some are oval, and many of the Moth-Kind flat, and perforated through the Middle; so that the Embrios or Caterpillars lie curl’d up before they are hatch’d, as they frequently do afterwards when come to Maturity. They are found of all manner of Colours, and many of them are extremely beautiful if view’d with a Microscope; some being curiously rib’d and adorn’d with Protuberances, &c. like the nicest carved Work; others marbled and spotted with an amazing Variety of delightful colouring.
Of Caterpillars.
Caterpillars are usually divided into the Naked and Cloathed Kinds. Among the Cloath’d some have only small Tufts of Hair or Down, others are cover’d all over with it.
The Caterpillars of all known Butterflies have six Hooks or Claws before, eight Feet in the Middle of their Body, and two Holders behind. Those that produce Moths have all six Hooks or Claws before, and Holders behind. Some have eight Feet in the Middle, some four, and some only two next their Holders.
Some Species of Caterpillars always feed inclos’d or spun up in the Leaves they feed upon, others take their Food openly and in Sight.
Some are sociable and herd together whilst young, but when they change their third Skin they grow unsociable and feed separately.