Evening star., 1903-12-19
Nocturnal Pets.

"a cocoon! I've found a COCOON said
Frances as she held up little oblong bun
die scarcely an inch in length fastened
firmly to an ivy leaf
"And here's one for me-" lisped five-year-
old Ray, showing a cluster of ivy leaves
encircling another light-brown package
Bessie searched long and diligently in the
grass at the foot of the old oak tree upon
which grew the Ivy where the caterpillars
had hidden their cradles. At last she, too,
was rewarded for her trouble, and the three
children ran to mother with their treas
ures
"They are all alive" said mother "See,
when shake them how they squirm. Bes-
sizes IS mashed little on this side I will
cut 1t open with the scissors, straighten 1t
and give the butterfly chance to grow
The children peeped In, hoping to see the
tiny sprouting wings. but only a dark
brown shell was to be seen. and the secret
Of the wings remained mystery.
''They ars folded up In that dark-brown
skin." said mother. Put them under this
bowl on the parlor table. We will watch
them"
Dear caterpillar. Wen say goodbye TIL
you come out butterfly sang the chill
dren, who began an eager watch for the
appearance of the butterflies.
But nature, so noiSeless in her move
ments, works slowly, steadily, stealthily,
and not until she has finished every tiny
detail and has her task complete does she
present to US the gift she has been prepar-
ing.
1t was late in July The children had
grown impatient after days and weeks of
waiting One morning Rays cocoon was
found empty. with a hole in one end, and
on the table lay great creature with
wings. alas, all twisted and wet. There
had not been room enough for 1t under the
bowl to shake them out and dry them Just
at the proper time.
We'll take the bowl away" said mother,
"and close the door,
Frances and Bessie found their cocoon's
empty, too few days later, and after
long. long search discovered the downy
things under the window blind, clinging
close to the facing, one hanging from the
top, the other resting on its side on the
edge, both with tightly folded wings. All
day long they remained motionless.
The twilight was deepening. Three white
robed figures had kissed mamma and papa
good night and were starting up to bed
Let's say good night to the butterflies
too" said Ray.
They ran into the parlor. raised the blind
The butterflies were f1uttering like children
waking from their sieep when the morning
sunbeams kiss their eyelids. Soon they
spread their wings and radiant in evening
dresses OF old rose and golden brown, few
out into the room
''Oh. they are moths" said mother; "the
butterflies of the night. They have been
sleeping all day"
Next morning there was a merry search
for the curious pets. Frances took one
gently by its wings and carried it to her
room. She was a thoughtful child and
wished to study 1t carefully. She noted
upon It's gray head two heavy, pointed
pIum-like antennae. 1t had little wiz
ened face, small. dark eyes deep set and
close together glittering Hike mirrors, with
between them tiny sharp brown nose Its
wings measured six inches from tip to tip,
and its fuzzy brown body was jointed in
overlapping sections like coat of mail
There were six brown legs and feet In the
center Of each wing an oval transparency
like little windows of isinglass. bordered by
yellow ring. The lower wings, golden
brown. with heavy border of old rose had
an "eye' of dark blue, old rose and black
about the little window and resembled pea
cock feathers in the manner OF their mark
ing.
dark" she said at last; but, mother, I
can't find its proboscis."
TT has no proboscis," said mother.
Many moths do not posses that means Of
slipping nectar from the flowers and must
go all their lives without food
"Oh. oh!'' sobbed Bessie, coming into
the room. Il was studying my moth in
the parlor. Pussie sfleaked in and caught
1t In her mouth. I have only a wing left
for my museum.
One evening Frances noticed her moth
depositing some eggs upon the window
blind. She put 1t under a glass. and in the
morning there were over hundred little
disk-like eggs glued fast to the tumbler.
''It Is their mission in life.'' said mother,
"to lay eggs From these eggs come cater
pillars. Each variety of caterpillar feeds
upon some special tree or shrub or flower
And that the harmony of nature may be
preserved the different species hatch out
just when the flowers they need are In
bloom or the leaves best suited for them
are ready"
How Interesting and wonderful said
the children. MRS. T. III. SHERWOOD.