stigma, and therewith fecundation and propagation of the species, 

 if it were not for the agency of insects, and especially Sphinges, 

 which, attracted bv the copious nectar in the deep grooves that 

 surround the tubus stamineus, insert their trunks into these cav- 

 ities, where the narrow entrance is guarded by the anthers. 

 There is a rim between the lower parts of the loculi of the anther, 

 large enough to admit the trunk of a Sphinx, but gradually clos- 

 ing towards the upper portion of the loculi. This rim will catch 

 the insect by its trunk and will keep it prisoner till the loculi have 

 discharged their pollinia and fecundation has taken place. It is 

 easily understood, that where the point of maturity, when the 

 pollinia are discharged, is distant, the poor Sphinx has to choose 

 between remaining prisoner for life or losing its trunk. 



We may plant the PhysiantJius near tobacco plantations. 

 Not that I think it of much practical use in protecting the plan- 

 tation ; it is merely to get even with a good number of Macrosil(E 

 that have injured other tobacco plantations when in the larva 

 state. 



As to the object that nature had in view in this arrange- 

 ment, I am at a loss to offer any explanation, if it is not the opin- 

 ion, that nature sometimes is fond of very practical jokes. 



Small and transitory as the influence of the Sphinges may be 

 on the household of organic life, their scenic effect is consider- 

 able. And it is not only their size, elegance of form and har- 

 mony of colors ; it is also their extraordinary powers of locomo- 

 tion. A single specimen may enliven a flower garden in such a 

 way that it creates the impression that the whole region was 

 swarming with the species. Suddenly the insect will dart away 

 like a humming bird, leaving the garden quiet and lonely, but 

 repeating the same nervous activity on flowers in a different lat- 

 itude. 



It is a well known fact that the larvae of Ph. Nerii are found 

 nearly every year in different countries of northern Europe, 

 where its food plant, Nerinni Oleander, is cultivated in glass 

 houses. Now those larvse are brought there by females that are 

 fecundated in a country where Oleander grows in the open air. 

 The most northern place,' where the larvae of Nerii has been 

 found is St. Petersburg. It is more than possible that the female 

 PJi. Nerii, that found her way into a Russian glass house, break- 

 fasted on nectar of Oleander flowers on the borders of the 

 Mediterranean. 



And this is not an isolated occurrence. The very fact that 

 the professional gardeners are wide awake to the financial advan- 

 tages of having larvae of this kind on their Oleanders, and that 

 they do not kill them, but sell them, is the best proof of the fre- 

 quently repeating occurrence. Some gardeners, induced by the 

 prices paid by amateurs and collectors, have tried to cultivate Ph. 

 Nerii, but all their efforts have been frustrated by the disinclina- 



