422 INSECTS AT HOME. 



almost always be found in profusion where that plant is 

 present. The best plan for ascertaining the presence or 

 absence of this larva, is to examine the ground beneath the 

 plant. If there be some tiny, oblong bundles of masticated 

 leaves, there is no doubt about the matter, and all that is 

 recj^uired is a fair amount of perseverance. 



In consequence of the large size of this larva, it has always 

 been rather a pet among entomologists, especially after New- 

 port's splendid dissections. The horn is rather in the way 

 when the caterpillar is laid on its back for dissection, but the 

 various organs are well defined, and give little trouble to the 

 dissector who undertakes the task of tracing the development 

 of each organ, from the larval to the perfect state. 



Another of the Hawk-Moths which deserves a passing notice 

 is the Elephant Hawk-Moth {Chwrocampa Eljpenor). This 

 species is smaller than those which have been described, and is 

 a very pretty insect. The upper wings are brown-green, shaded 

 diagonally with pink, and the lower wings are pink, with black 

 bases. The thorax and body are coloured like the uppei- 

 wings, their ground hue is brown with a green gloss, and there 

 are four longitudinal pink stripes upon the thorax, while the 

 sides of the abdomen are pink, and a stripe of the same colour 

 runs down the centre. 



The name of Elephant Moth whicli is given to it is due, not 

 to the perfect insect, but to the larva, which possesses the 

 power of elongating or contracting the three first segments of 

 the body in a manner which is fancifully thought to resemble 

 the proboscis of the elephant. The generic title of Chcero- 

 C(impa, or swine-caterpillar, is given to this and other Moths 

 on account of this structure of the larva. On either side of the 

 fourth and fifth segment is a large, black, eye-like mark, which 

 many persons really think to be the eyes of the caterpillar. 

 This larva feeds chiefly on the common willow-herb, and may 

 be found in August. The perfect insect makes its appearance 

 in June. 



We now come to a very common and interesting insect, well 

 known by the popular and appropriate name of Humming-bird 

 Moth ( Macror/lossa stellatarum), a figure of which is given on 

 Plate XIV. Fijr ,3. 



