THE SPHINGIDM. 1 01 



not stop in it very long, for the chrysalis becomes metamorphosed 

 in a few weeks, and then the SpJiinx eupJiorbicB may be seen 

 buzzing about the flowers in the early morning and during the 

 evening twilight. It is a very pretty insect, the front wings of 

 which are of a subdued rose colour, with three spots of deep 

 green, and an undulating band of the same shade, and the hind 

 wings are of a rose tint, with black bands. 



The caterpillars of this sphinx appear a second time on the 

 Euphorbias in the same year. Towards the end of September 

 they hide themselves in the earth, and become chrysalides, and 

 remain in that state until the next year. 



The engraving represents the sphinx hovering over the 

 Euphorbia, and the caterpillars upon the leaves, one being in 

 the quiet, sphinx-like attitude. The chrysalis is on the ground. 



This interesting Deilephila is stated by Mr. Stainton to 

 be found in England at Scarborough and Bideford. This 

 author gives some interesting descriptions of the habits of 

 the larvse, which were observed by Mr. Melhuish on the coast 

 of Brittany, near St. Pol de Leon. This naturalist collected 

 400 of these beautiful insects in three days in the first week 

 of September. He says, " All the larvae that I saw at liberty 

 were seen by me between the hours of three and six P.M. 

 They were invariably actively engaged, either in feeding or in 

 running over the sand, which they did with great ease, from 

 one plant which they had stripped to another with leaves. The 

 eggs must be always laid at the top of the plant, among the 

 soft budding leaves, for this is without exception the position 

 of the youngest larvee. They then gradually work their way 

 downwards, till, having eaten all the leaves, they reach the 

 ground, and march off in search of more, leaving a broad 

 trail on the sand. They are fond of the milk, and will eat 

 everything except the stringy roots of the plant. The seed 

 vessels they take between their front legs, and raising them- 

 selves into the sphinx posture, gnaw away at one till it is 

 demolished, just like a monkey with an apple, their feet being 

 placed close before their mouths. 



If interrupted at any time while feeding, they turn round 

 with the greatest fury, and spit out a quantity of green liquid 



