In studying the forms and appearances of various larvæ, we shall find that some of them bear a tolerably close resemblance to the future insect; while others, on the contrary, do not resemble their future condition at all; and had we to decide to what tribe of insects they belonged, merely judging by their shape and character, we should be sorely perplexed to do so, and if we did, we should often in all probability be very far wrong. We need not go far for an illustration, first, of a larva like the perfect insect, and next, for one totally unlike it. Taking a candle and exploring into some snug hole near the kitchen fire-place, we shall not be long, probably, before we extricate a number of the larvæ of the cricket. Those of the bug also are very like the perfect insect; so also are young spiders, cockroaches and grasshoppers. These all resemble more or less perfectly the insect in its complete form. Even amongst the larvæ not resembling the perfect insect, a little attention will enable us to perceive a sort of general resemblance between those of different genera and species, which we may call the Larva family likeness. This consists in the form of the body, in a number of instances; but in all in the ring-like marks or segments of the body, as they are called, which are _thirteen_ in number. If the reader will take the trouble to count the rings in the larvæ of different insects, he will generally find that they are thirteen in number. The general resemblance of larvæ to one another may also be noticed. The larva is, in every instance, destitute of wings. In many cases, larvæ are provided with feet, in many others they have none. And in some instances, they have no distinct head, as in the larva of the blow fly. [Illustration: _Larvæ of Butterflies._] By far the larger number of larvæ belong to this class; that is, they do not resemble the perfect insect. Do not resemble! could any one believe that these strange, and some of them awful looking larvæ ever became _butterflies_? yet they all belong to that tribe of insects. [Illustration]