LEPIDOPTERA. 225 



11. HAWK-MOTHS. {Sphinges.)* 



Linnaeus was led to give the name of Sphinx to the insects in 

 his second group of the Lepidoptera, from a fancied resemblance 

 that some of their caterpillars, when at rest, have to the Sphinx 

 of the Egyptians. The attitude of these caterpillars is indeed 

 very remarkable. Supporting themselves by their four or six 

 hind-legs, they elevate the forepart of the body, and remain im- 

 movably fixed in this posture for hours together. In the winged 

 state, the true Sphinges are known by the name of humming-bird 

 moths, from the sound which they make in flying, and hawk- 

 moths, from their habit of hovering in the air while taking their 

 food. These humming-bird or hawk moths may be seen during 

 the morning and evening twilight, flying with great swiftness from 

 flower to flower. Their wings are long, narrow, and pointed, 

 and are moved by powerful muscles, to accommodate which their 

 bodies are very thick and robust. Their tongues, when uncoiled, 

 are, for the most part, excessively long, and with them they ex- 

 tract the honey from the blossoms of the honey-suckle and other 

 tubular flowers, whife on the wing. Other Sphinges fly during the 

 daytime only, and in the brightest sunshine. Then it is that our 

 large clear-winged Sesiae make their appearance among the flow- 

 ers, and regale themselves with their sweets. The fragrant 

 Phlox is their especial favorite. From their size and form and 

 fan-like tails, from their brilliant colors, and the manner in which 

 they take their food, poised upon rapidly vibrating wings above 

 file blossoms, they might readily be mistaken for humming-birds. 

 The iEgerians are also diurnal in their habits. Their flight is 

 swift, but not prolonged, and they usually alight while feeding. 

 In form and color they so much resemble bees and wasps as 

 hardly to be distinguished from them. The Smerinthi are heavy 

 and sluggish in their motions. They fly only during the night, 

 and apparently, in the winged state, take no food ; for their tongues 

 are very short, and indeed almost invisible. The Glaucopidians, 

 or Sphinges with feathered antennae, fly mostly by day, and alight 

 to take their food, like many moths, which some of them resemble 



* See page 210. 

 29 



