_Death_ (Vol. iii., p. 450.).--The ancients found in the successive
transformations of the butterfly a striking and beautiful parallel to
the more important career of human existence. Thus to their fancy the
caterpillar, or _larva_, represented man's earthly course; the _pupa_,
or chrysalis state, his death and utter inanition; while the perfect
state of the insect typified man's rise to life and glory, a bright
glorious being, without spot or trace of earthly stain. The Greeks from
this notion named the butterfly "Psyche." A careful examination of the
anatomy and physiology of the insect world will show the strict and
amazing beauty of this simile.