Barb at the Handbook of Nature Study blog found out these two words are not interchangeable. From the Butterfly Gardening Glossary:
chrysalis - the pupa stage of a butterfly. The chrysalis is often mistakenly called a cocoon. The chrysalis forms when the butterfly caterpillar sheds its skin for the final time, and a hardened outer covering forms to cover the changing pupa inside. Chrysalis means gold in Greek. Many - though not all - chrysalises have gold spots or markings. pl - chrysalides, chrysalises
cocoon - the pupa stage of a moth. The cocoon is a covering that protects the pupa inside as it changes into a moth. Cocoons are formed from silken threads spun by the last instar caterpillar. Some species of moths will also incorporate leaves into their cocoons. After the cocoon is formed, the caterpillar inside will shed its skin for the final time, and a pupa with a hardened outer coating will form.
So now we know! I'm glad she took the time to research it out. I should have done a little more research before posting that Spunky was in a cocoon. But I know now. Spunky was in a chrysalis.
4 comments:
Thanks for making me think about it again today...it really helps to try to think it through a few different times. I think I have it straight now too!
I know I learn more than the boys, or at least I work harder at it with this aging brain of mine. I keep thinking that if my boys don't have to spend their adult lives researching the simplest of things like I do, what great potential they will have to learn even more about so many different things.
Sometimes I feel as if my school days were *wasted* learning nothing of importance. :(
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
You have expressed my thoughts exactly! I have even studied butterflies with my kids before, and still I can't remember things like this.
Too, as moms we have so many different threads of thought going through our heads simultaneously that even if a fact is in there somewhere, we have a hard time accessing it. This morning I am thinking about bills, the checking account, the science of sunlight, cocoons and chrysalids, character training for my 7yodd, how tired I am, whether I scheduled out 13yodd's Columbus readings in the right way, and whether we will get to tidy up the house before going to church tonight. And what are we having for lunch?
So it is not surprising we cannot remember things sometimes. :O)
Don't get me started on all that is on my mind. :)
I did have a cup of coffee this morning so the brain cells are popping a little better than they would be normally.
In your spare time, could you finish writing my e-book for me? Just kidding. It will get done when I "have time".
Barb
Ah, yes, I missed my coffee this morning! That must be it.
All of you ladies who do offer wonderful services to the homeschool community simply amaze me. I can barely keep things going in my own little sphere. Every time I think, "I should do something to give back to the homeschool community," my mind reels thinking of the effort it would take.
Nature study and sketching were falling right off our schedule before you started your challenges, Barb. I really appreciate all you do.
Post a Comment