It has been
thought by some and recorded, that this ball is held in place by
spinning or an acid ejected by the caterpillar. I never have
heard of any one else who has had my luck in lifting these earth
balls intact, opening, and photographing them and their contents.
I have examined them repeatedly and carefully. I can find not the
slightest trace of spinning or adhesion other than by force.
With one of these balls lifted and divided, we decided what
happened underground by detaining a caterpillar on the surface and
forcing it to transform before us, for this change is not optional.
When the time comes the pupa must evolve. So the caterpillar lies
on the earth, gradually growing shorter, the skin appearing dry
and the horns drooping. There never is a trace of spinning or acid
ejected in the sand buckets. When the change is completed there
begins a violent twisting and squirming. The caterpillar skin opens
in a straight line just behind the head on the back, and by working
with the pointed abdomen the pupa case emerges.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61