The Reason Why / A Careful Collection of Many Hundreds of Reasons for Things Which, Though Generally Believed, Are Imperfectly Understood

by Robert Kemp Philp

1290. Why does the caterpillar eat voraciously?

Because it grows rapidly, and a large amount of vegetable matter is necessary to supply the rapid growth of its animal substance. Caterpillars in the course of a month devour 60,000 times their own weight of aliment.

Fig. 77.—THE UNDER SIDE OF THE CHRYSALIS OF THE PEACOCK BUTTERFLY.

Fig. 78.—THE SAME CHRYSALIS, WITH PART OF ITS SHEATH RAISED TO SHOW THE PARTIALLY-FORMED WINGS, &c.

1291. Why do caterpillars pass into the state of the chrysalis?

Because they are thereby prepared for the new existence which they are about to enjoy; new organs must be perfected in them to adapt them to the altered conditions of their lives.