Maria Sibylla Merian — Der rupsen begin, voedzel en wonderbaare verandering (1712)

PREFACE.

BEcause in my youth my main practice
was the painting of Herbs, Flowers
and Fruits, I have always tried to decorate them
with all kinds of small creatures, which I then
sought out with much effort for that purpose; in this
process I noticed that all Worms and Cater-
pillars are subject to transformation, or change,
just as much as the Silkworm, which spurred my zeal
to go a bit deeper into this speculation,
in which I have now persevered for 39 years,
and have found many wonderful changes. I was not content
with just knowing these uncommon occurrences, but was inclined
to share them with other enthusiasts as well; this caused
great astonishment in many, regarding their beginning,
food, and change, and above all the governance of the
Creator who has placed such a marvelous being and
beauty in such insignificant little creatures,
that no painter with brush and paints can reach the same,
especially those I have found in America, by which my desire
to observe is fueled more and more. When the little worms
emerge from their eggs, they are so small
that one can barely see them; but once they have their proper
food, some need a few weeks,
others as much as two months for their complete
growth; some have three claws under behind the head,
and in the middle under the body four legs on each side,
and at the hindmost segment two more legs; others have three claws
under behind the head, and none in the middle, but
do have two legs at the hindmost segment; when these move