42 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



leg sub-quadrangular, warty and pubescent, and surmounted by a triangular 

 supra-anal plate of a dark purplish color, with the apex directed 

 posteriorly. 



Prothoracic and first and abdominal rings are furnished each with a 

 pair of transversely oval, yellowish spiracles. Inferior aspect of the larva 

 is marked with clusters of white spots, relieving the monotony of the 

 purple. Last abdominal segment surmounted by a moderately long 

 recurved horn, yellowish brown in color, and bearing scattered gland like 

 bodies, which manifest a tendency to become spines. Length nearly 3 

 inches. Taken in Germantown during the first week of September, while 

 feeding upon the leaves of Polygoimm peiinsylvanicum. 



This larva, belonging, as it does, to the family Sphingidae, is 

 undoubtedly rare, as it is the only one that I have met with in all my 

 entomological rambles ; nor can I find in any of the works at my com- 

 mand a description, still less a figure thereof. In some respects it 

 resembles the full-grown larva of Sphinx euphoi'hia, described and figured 

 in " Transformation of Insects," by Dr. Duncan ; in others it differs very 

 materially therefrom. In the Euphorbia Sphinx the yellow points are 

 scattered promiscuously over the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the body, 

 but in the specimen under consideration they are arranged with some view 

 to order. There is a still further resemblance in the irregular spots which 

 flank the sides, just beneath the line of stigmata, and in the general 

 color, the former being black, and the latter a rich dark purple. It differs 

 from the former in being devoid of the three longitudinal lines of carmine 

 tint, which is a prominent feature of it, and also in being more tapering 

 anteriorly. 



There is one character in the life history of this larva which struck me 

 as peculiarly novel and interesting, and which deserves to be placed upon 

 record. Instead of assuming the peculiar Sphinx-like attitude in a state 

 of rest, (whence the popular name of Sphinx is derived), and which is so 

 familiar to entomological students as well as the outside world, it curves 

 its body, bringing the head and tail in close proximity, reminding one of 

 the position which is so easily and readily taken by the larva of Cinibex 

 til mi y Reek. 



It cannot be denied that this is its natural posture in a state of 

 inaction. To assure myself that a position which seemed so natural and 

 easy to the worm was not an occasional one, I was permitted in the 



