The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-11-06
Archbishop WhatleY on Butterflies

Archbishop WhatleY on Butterflies.
Most persons know that every but.
terfiy (the Greek name for which, it
is remarkable is the same that
signifies also the soul-Psyche) comes
from grub Og caterpillar; in the
language of natuFaIists called Isrya.
This last name (which signifies litter
ally a mask was Introduced by Lin
n9us, because the caterpillar Is kind
of outward covering or disguise, of
the future butterfly within. For it
has been Sscertalned by curious
microscopic examination that dis
tinct butterfly, only Wndeveloped
and not full grown, is con taiRed with
in the body of the CATERPILLAR that
this latter has its own organs of
digestion, respiration, etc. suitable to-
its larya life, quite distinct from, and
independent of the future butterfly
which it incloses. When the proper
period arrives. and the life of the
insect, in this its first stage, is to
close, it becomes what IS called %
pupa. inclosed in a chrysais or
cocoon (often composed of silk, as. IT,
that of the silkworm which supplies
us that important article) and lies
torpid for time within this natural
coffin, from which it issues. at the
proper period. as perfect butterfly.
But sometimes this process is mar
red. There is numerous tribe of
insects well known to naturalists,
called ichneumon flies, which in their
larva state are parasitical that is,
inhabit and feed on other larvae. The
ichneumon fly being provided with
a long, sharp sting. which is in fact
an ovipositor (egg-layer), pierces
with this the body of caterpillar in,
several places, and deposits her eggs,
which are there hatched, and feed, AZ,
grubs (larv@) on the inward parts of
their victim. The con mon cabbage
caterpillar producing white but
terfiy) which often does such mis-
chief in our gardens, is often thus
attacked and these being common
near our houses, are more easily OBJ
served than most others. A most
wonderful circumstance connected
with this process is that caterpillar
which has been thus attacked gees
on feeding, and apparently thriving
quite as we'll during the whole of its
larva life, as those that have escaped.
For, by a wonderful provision of
instinct, the ichneumon grubs within
do not injuire any of the organs of
the larva, but feed only on the future
butterfly enclosed within it. And,
consequently, it is hardly possible to-
distinguish a caterpillar which has
these enemies within it from those
that are untouched.
But when the period arrives for
the close of the larya life, the differ
ence appears. You may often OBJ
serve the common cabbage caterpil-
lars retiring, to undergo their change.
into some sheltered spot-such as the
walls of summer-house and some
of them-those that have escaped
the Notwithstanding the pupa
state, from which they emerge but
terflses. But as for the others, the
-gruhs at this period issue
forth, and spin their little cocoons of
bright yellow silk (abOut the size and
shape of grains of wheat), from which
they are to issue as flies. or the un-
fortunate caterpillar nothing remains
but an empty skin. The hidden
butterfly has been secretly consumed.
Now. when you are contemplating
with wonder this most curious phe-
nomenon, consider whether there il
not something analogous to it in the
condition of some of our race =
whether man may not have kind
of secret enemy within his own
bosom, destroying his soul, Psyche,
though without interfering with his
well being during the present stage
of his existence; and whose presence
may never be detected till the time
arrives when the last great change
should take place.