210 
DARWINISM 
CHAP. 
being erected so as to produce a rude resemblance to the figure 
of a sphinx, hence the name of the family. The protection is 
carried further by those species which retract the first three 
segments and have large ocelli on each side of the fourth 
segment, thus giving to the caterpillar, when the forepart of 
its body is elevated, the appearance of a snake in a threaten¬ 
ing attitude. 
The blood-red forked tentacle, thrown out of the neck of 
the larvae of the genus Papilio when alarmed, is, no doubt, a 
protection against the attacks of ichneumons, and may, per¬ 
haps, also frighten small birds; and the habit of turning up 
the tail possessed by the harmless rove-beetles (Staphylinidse), 
giving the idea that they can sting, has, probably, a similar 
use. Even an unusual angular form, like a crooked twig or 
inorganic substance, may be protective ; as Mr. Poulton thinks 
is the case with the curious caterpillar of Notodonta ziczac, 
which, by means of a few slight protuberances on its body, 
is able to assume an angular and very unorganic-looking 
appearance. But perhaps the most perfect example of this 
kind of protection is exhibited by the large caterpillar of 
the Royal Persimmon moth (Bombyx regia), a native of 
the southern states of North America, and known there as 
the “ Hickory-horned devil.” It is a large green cater¬ 
pillar, often six inches long, ornamented with an immense 
crown of orange-red tubercles, which, if disturbed, it erects 
and shakes from side to side in a very alarming manner. 
In its native country the negroes believe it to be as deadly 
as a rattlesnake, whereas it is perfectly innocuous. The 
green colour of the body suggests that its ancestors were 
once protectively coloured; but, growing too large to be 
effectually concealed, it acquired the habit of shaking its head 
about in order to frighten away its enemies, and ultimately 
developed the crown of tentacles as an addition to its terrify¬ 
ing powers. This species is beautifully figured in Abbott and 
Smith’s Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia. 
Alluring Coloration. 
Besides those numerous insects which obtain protection 
through their resemblance to the natural objects among which 
they live, there are some whose disguise is not used for 
