1864.] 671 



sought for on the poplar, identified, and the foregoing description of 

 , the young larva associated with that of the adult. 



A large number of our Sphinx larvae are still wholly undescribed ; 

 several are given in such general terms as to be of little value in iden- 

 tification ; and of our southern species, the descriptions of Smith and 

 Abbot, from some cause — perhaps from having been generally taken 

 from exaggerated colored figures, — are very unreliable. Of the thirty- 

 five species occurring in the State of New York, are the following, of 

 which it is believed no published descriptions have been given : 

 Xessus, Plebeia, Modesta, 



Inscripta, Luscitiosa, Geminatus 'i 



Versicolor, Jasminearum, Astylus, 



Sordida. Repentinus, Brontes. 



(}f at least several of the above, there have been opportunities to se- 

 cure descriptions, and even to give to science complete biographies of a 

 few from the egg to the imago. In consideration of the growing in- 

 terest manifested among us, in Entomological studies, and of the special 

 interest attached to the Sphinges, I would make an appeal to each Le- 

 pidopterist whom these pages may reach, to improve every opportunity 

 presented him, of describing as minutely as possible such Sphinx larvae 

 and pupae as are at the present unknown, — comparing the known ones 

 with published descriptions, to note variations, supply additions, or cor- 

 rect errors, — and to contribute the result of his labors to this, or some 

 other Scientific Journal. 



I trust that it may not be improper, in this connection, to make men- 

 tion of a fact already known to many, that to the zeal and liberality of 

 Messrs. Jr W. Weidemeyer of New York, Stephen Calverley of Brook- 

 lyn, and W. H Edwards of Newburgh, N. Y ,the scientific community 

 is soon to be indebted for a volume in quarto, of North American 

 Sphinges, embracing a representation of every known species. Nearly 

 all the Plates are already executed, and the completion of the work is 

 only delayed until a few Southern species can be procured for figuring, 

 to which access cannot now be had. An inspection of the Plates 

 issued show them to possess a remarkable degree of fidelity and general 

 excellence, alike creditable to the skill of the artist, and to those under 

 whose direction the result has been attained. As the publication of 



