98 



TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



are large creatures, which, when quiet, often put on a very curious 

 attitude. Being well and safely fixed on a twig or leaf by their 

 membranous or hind feet, they lift up the front of their bodies, 

 and bend the head, which is buried in the first segment ; they then 

 remain perfectly motionless for hours. This attitude — which is 

 represented in the engraving of the EtipJiorbia sphinx — has excited 

 much attention, and entomologists, whose imaginations are always 

 vivid, and sometimes classical, have had no difficulty in investing 



LARVA OF THE DEATH'S HEAD SPHINX MOTH. 



this larva with the majesty of the Egyptian sphinx. Indeed, one 

 of these stolid larvae has sufficed to bring up the memories of 

 Thebes and of the great enigma before the enthusiastic naturalist. 



The name has become popular, and there is really something 

 enigmatical in the queer posture. Why should the larva imitate 

 the sphinx, which it never saw .-' The answer may be "common- 

 place, but nevertheless true ; it remains thus motionless to prevent 

 itself being gobbled up by birds or attacked by ichneumon flies, 

 which are on the look-out for everything that moves. 



