It is as though it were expelled by a gentle pressure.
Let us return to the wings and elytra, which have made no apparent progress since their emergence from their sheaths.

They are still mere stumps, with fine longitudinal seams; almost like little ropes'-ends.
Their expansion, which will occupy more than three hours, is reserved for the end, when the insect is completely moulted and in its normal position.
We have just seen the insect turn head uppermost.

This reversal causes the wings and elytra to fall into their natural position.

Extremely flexible, and yielding to their own weight, they had previously drooped backwards with their free extremities pointing towards the head of the insect as it hung reversed.
Now, still by reason of their own weight, their position is rectified and they point in the normal direction.

They are no longer curved like the petals of a flower; they no longer point the wrong way; but they retain the same miserable aspect.
In its perfect state the wing is like a fan.