Bdmbyces, and Sphinx stellatdrum. 223 



Since the above period, I have pursued the same amuse- 

 ment with my " nymph-like friends," with equal success. 

 Last autumn, one of these, which I easily recognised, allowed 

 itself to be taken from a flower, and be placed on my face ; 

 walked over it, inserted its tongue between my lips, flew 

 away, and returned on my face or clothes. 



I found a calm sultry day, at noon, the best time for this 

 amusement ; and, if the season continued mild and fine, the 

 same individuals would daily visit the same spot. V. Atalanta 

 appeared to possess this docile disposition rather more than 

 others. Cynthia cardui was more vigilant and shy. Vanessa 

 Polychloros and V. urticae showed a familiar disposition after 

 a few attempts ; and, by a trial made on Colias Edusaj I think 

 it might prove equally docile. Vanessa To is scarce in this 

 island, I have seen it only once ; but this specimen allowed 

 me to touch it, and close its wings, several times in one day. 



Some of the .Bombyces, by being kept in a room, and fed 

 on sugar and water, became accustomed to the hand, and lost 

 much of their usual cautiousness. Scoliopteryx libatrix, in 

 particular, became extremely tame. 



I shall add one attempt more on a bold and unruly sub- 

 ject, Sphinx stellatarum, whose rapid and irregular motions 

 are so remarkable. Having observed the periodical visit of 

 two individuals of this sphinx to a bush of the everlasting pea 

 [Lathyrus latifolius £.], I placed myself so as to watch their 

 actions. My presence quickly attracted their notice; and, 

 after a few Sittings among the blossoms, they disappeared : in 

 a few minutes' time they returned, and, on perceiving me, 

 they again left the bush for another about fifty yards distant. 

 I then quietly pursued them from bush to bush, until they 

 became less uneasy and shy. After some perseverance in this 

 manner, they became familiarised with my figure; and, at 

 last, allowed me to place my hand and face close to the 

 flowers they were engaged in robbing. Though these insects 

 could not be touched in their flights, they evidently lost much 

 of their timidity, and allowed me to place light leaves or fea- 

 thers so near them as to be violently affected by the vibration 

 of their wings, the sound of which is particularly loud when 

 the ear is brought near them. 



Mr. Couch's notice (Vol. V. p. 291.) of similar habits ob- 

 served by himself in Vanessa Atalanta have induced me to 

 transcribe these remarks from my note-book, in which they 

 had been written previously to my seeing Mr. Couch's com- 

 munication. 



I am, Sir, yours, &c. 

 Guernsey, Feb. 16. 1833. F. C. Lukis. 



