In those portions which the progress of the moult exposes to view I see the legs bend under the mere weight of the suspended insect when I tilt the supporting cover.

They are as flexible as two strips of elastic indiarubber.

Yet even now consolidation is progressing, for in a few minutes the proper rigidity will be acquired.
Further along the limbs, in the portions which the sheathing still conceals, the legs are certainly softer still, and in the state of exquisite plasticity--I had almost said fluidity--which allows them to pass through narrow passages almost as a liquid flows.
The teeth of the saws are already there, but have nothing of their imminent rigidity.

With the point of a pen-knife I can partially uncover a leg and extract the spines from their serrated mould.

They are germs of spines; flexible buds which bend under the slightest pressure and resume their position the moment the pressure is removed.
These needles point backwards as the leg is drawn out of the sheath; but they re-erect themselves and solidify as they emerge.