CHAPTER XI. 



THE HAWK MOTHS (SPHINGID^.). 



Few moths are so attractive to lepidopterists, indeed, to 

 all lovers of Nature, as the Sphingidce, or Hawk Moths, 

 partly from the beauty of the specimens. This is an 

 extensive group, and its members, if not surpassing 

 every other family of Heterocera in size, in their speed 

 and indefatigable flight are unequalled. 



Leading Characteristics of this Favourite Grotip. 



They are a highly organized and specialized assem- 

 blage. A plump, robust, yet, as a rule, a graceful body, 

 an usually long, conic, cylindrical abdomen, and pris- 

 matic antennse — these may be said to be their leading 

 characteristics ; and generally the wings are comparatively 

 small and narrow, the forewings extending far beyond 

 the hind pair, and rather pointed ; the tongue, though 

 variable, is often strong and long, much exceeding the 

 length of the insect itself, but is sometimes obsolete. 

 In habits they are diurnal or crepuscular, some flying in 



