Details of exhibit

Exhibition:
1905 Fiftieth Annual Exhibition of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain  
Exhibit title:
"Ecdysis or skin moult of the caterpillar of the privet hawk moth"  
Exhibitor:
Wm. Farren 
Section:
Scientific and Technical Photography and its Application to Processes of Reproduction 
Exhibit No.:
302 
Description:
7 Photographs. No. 1, a caterpillar ready to moult (note the small head-shell from which the head has been drawn and is clearly outlined behind). The moult commences by the falling off of the head-shell, when the skin slips back as shown in No. 2. The caterpillar then commences to crawl out of its skin; if the position of the first clasper or membranous leg be noted in relation to the leaf stalk on the opposite side of the stem, it will be seen what progress is made in Nos. 2, 3, and 4. In No. 4 the horn-like process on the anal extremity is depressed as it is withdrawn from the old skin. In No. 5 the horn is free, and the anal claspers are being withdrawn. No. 6 shows the insect quite free and resting on the discarded skin. After the ecdysis is completed the caterpillar generally turns head down and makes its first meal off the discarded skin. No. 7 shows two larvae, illustrating the rapid development of the colour in the new skin. The lower larvae has moulted about one hour and the upper one two hours, by which time the skin has deepened in colour to a velvety green, the oblique side stripes purplish pink, and the head and horn-like process, which at first, as in Nos. 5 and 6, are almost colourless, become hard and shining black. The ecdysis involves a moult of not only the outer skin of the insect but also that of the mouth and part of the alimentary canal. The time taken varies in different individuals. No. 1 is a photograph of one which completed the moult so rapidly as to make it impossible to photograph the various stages. Nos. 2 to 6 are of one individual, and occupied ten minutes from the time the head fell away to the completion of the moult. 
Exhibit type:
Photograph 
Process:
[Not Listed] () 
Award:
none 
Prices:
Original Framed 21/-