MOTHS A T THE FIRESIDE. 71 



time, for here is the very stem by wliicli it hung, just 

 like those of the Polyphemus and Cynthia moths." 

 Thereupon she handed the object to the mistress, who 

 examined it carefully. 



"Why, father," she remarked, "I fear that Abby 

 has caught you napping this time." 



" That is right," I answered. " I am glad tliat your 

 minds are alert and not disposed to take too much 

 without question. Let the crysalis pass around the 

 circle, and then I will show you the imago or perfect 

 insect. Here is a figure of our potato-worm full tledged. 

 A fine large moth it is, you see. It has dropped its 

 humble name now and is known as Sphinx qninque-ma- 

 culata, or, in plain English, the Five-spotted Sphinx." 

 (Fig. 25.) 



"Well, well," said the Mistress, a little impatiently. 

 "What has that to do with this 'stem' that we were 

 talking about ?" 



"Patience, my dear, I am coming to that; but I 

 want j'ou, first, to see the insect's tongue. Come, Abby, 

 you have the first look ; do you see the tongue ?" 



" Not I ! and it's not to be seen, for the back of the 

 moth is toward us." 



"Then let the others try." 



All studied the picture and came to the same conclu- 

 sion — no tongue was to be seen. 



" I must put spectacles on your eyes, I find. You see 

 this long, delicate, curled organ rising out of the head 

 and extended over the flower into which it is about to 

 be thrust ? — this is the insect's tongue," 



