SPHINGID^. -5 



left in order to devour the next leaf; so that it moved about 

 three or four inches in a day. On the Continent it is said to 

 feed, in addition, on Convohuhis tricolor and Ipomca coccincct 

 (called by gardeners Convolvulus major). 



Pupa very large, 2f inches long, smooth, with leg- and wing- 

 cases rather prominent, and a very large projecting loop in 

 front, which contains the tongue ; abdominal segments rather 

 distinctly divided; rich mahogany brown, with the head, 

 thorax, proboscis and tail darker ; the tail having a short 



blunt spike. 



Subterranean, occasionally dug up in potato fields where 



Convolvulus arvensis is common. 



This noble moth appears to be constructed especially for 

 bold, rapid, and sustained tiight. From the great size and 

 muscular strength of its thorax, and the firmness of its long 

 and sharply cut fore wings, to the fish-like shape of its taper 

 body, all is arranged for the greatest power of movement with 

 the smallest resistance to the air. When flying, as it loves 

 to do, about tubular flowers in a garden, in the twilight, it 

 exhibits a perfection of motion lovely to behold. Backwards 

 and forwards from one flower-bed to another, or hovering an 

 instant in front of a blossom, then moving to another like a 

 shadow ; but, if a sudden movement is made by the spectator, 

 gone, lost to view, not seen to go ; it has simply vanished. 

 One of my sons, whose quick eyes on one occasion enabled 

 him to see it dart away, testifies to the flash-like rapidity with 

 which a specimen disappeared at a great height in the air ! 

 But, if no sudden movement is made to alarm it, the creature 

 seems by no means timid, and even at times familiar and 

 inquisitive. I have repeatedly seen it when nearly approached 

 hover up and seem to look in my face, so that its gleaming 

 lustrous eyes were distinctly visible looking into my own, 

 then flash past over my shoulder, and return to the flowers. 

 It has even been seen to approach and inspect a brilliant 



