42 Lloyd's natural history. 



When the proboscis is long, it is often contained in a 

 separate sheath in the pupa. The pupa is subterranean. 

 Most of tlie moths are of rather large size (the largest 

 S/'^Ju'jiges known belong to this sub-family), and have a 

 strong flight. They may be captured hovering over flowers 

 in the evening, or resting on the trunks of trees in the 

 day-time. The larvoe frequently rest with the front segments 

 raised, in a position which has given rise to the name 

 Sphinx, now applied to the whole family. The sub-family 

 Sphingi/ue has representatives in all parts of the world, but 

 is most numerous in America; where the largest species are 

 met with. 



GENUS COCYTIUS. 



Cocytius, Hiibner, Verz. bek. Schmett., p. 140 (1822?). 



Ampho7iyx, Poey, Cent. Lep., pi. 4 (1832); Lucas in Ramon 

 de la Sagra, Hist. Cuba, Lepid., p. 710 (1857) ; Boisduval, 

 Spec. Gen. Lepid. Heter., i., p. 62 (1875). 



Ancistrognathus, Wallengren, CEfv. Vet. Akad. Forh., Stock- 

 holm, XV., p. 138 (1858). 



To this genus belong about a dozen species found in South 

 and Central America, among which are the largest SpJdngidc^ 

 known. They have large heads, long and stout bodies, about 

 two inches in length, and brown or greenish fore-wings, reti- 

 culated with black, and expanding from six to nine inches. 

 The hind-wings are generally yellow at the base, and bordered 

 with black, the two colours being separated by a hyaline 

 band, divided into spots or streaks by the nervures. The hind 

 margin is usually more or less undulated towards the anal 

 angle. In some species the proboscis is of enormous length, 

 measuring, when extended, nearly ten inches ; it is used for 

 the purpose of probing tubular flowers. 



