SPHINGID^E. 271 



on grass, and at this stage can scarcely be distinguished from 

 the young larva of II. Hobomoc. When an inch long the head 

 is not large in proportion to the body, though it is prominent 

 and wider than the second segment ; it is dull reddish brown 

 and black posteriorly. The body above is semitransparent, 

 dull brownish green, with minute, whitish hairs, similar to 

 those on the head, with a dorsal line and many darker dots 

 over the surface. The second segment is pale whitish, with a 

 line of brownish black across the upper surface, with a faint, 

 pale, lateral line close to the under surface : the terminal seg- 

 ments are paler than the rest of the body. The feet are 

 whitish, semitransparent. This species is found from Canada 

 to Maryland. 



SPHINGID.E Latreille. The Hawk-moths or Humming-bird 

 moths are among the largest and stoutest of Lepidoptera. The 

 body is very stout, spindle-shaped, with narrow, powerful wings. 

 Their flight is, consequently, exceedingly swift and strong. 

 The antennas are prismatic in form and thickened in the mid- 

 dle. The tongue, or maxillae, is remarkably long, so that the 

 insect is able, while on the wing, to explore the interior of 

 deep flowers. This habit of remaining for a considerable time 

 poised in the air on their rapidly vibrating wings, causes them 

 to be mistaken for humming-birds. At rest the wings are 



<~J O 



folded, roof-like, over the body. The larvae have sixteen iegs, 

 and on the last segment is an acute horn, sometimes represented 

 by a simple tubercle. At rest they stand with the forepart 

 of the body elevated in a supposed Sphinx-like attitude. The 

 larvae descend into the earth and transform, often in rude, 

 earthen cocoons, moulded into form by the pressure of the 

 body. The tongue-case is usually free. 



There are between 300 and 400 species known, a large part 

 of which are tropical American. Most of the species fly in 

 June and July. The larvae transform in the latter part of 

 August and in September. 



In Ellema the body is small. The head is small, narrow and 

 somewhat tufted, and with small eyes. It might be passed over 

 on a hasty view for a Noctuid. The larva of Ellema Harrisii 

 Clemens is green, has no caudal horn, and lives on the pine. 



