18 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 
force, and would inflict serious injury if they were ever successful 
in catching hold of an enemy. But the defence of the larva is 
practically concentrated in other directions, and this means of 
protection remains unimproved at a point at which it is almost 
useless. It is, nevertheless, likely that any sound, which was 
incidentally caused during the process, might be highly pro- 
tective, because it would certainly terrify the enemies of the 
larva. Hence where it is likely to have been improved up to the 
effective point it has been reached.”—James A. TawEeti; Karls 
Colne, November 238, 1885. 
SPHINX CONVOLVULI, SOUND PRODUCED DURING F'LIGHT.—Your 
correspondentis certainly mistaken in supposing (Hntom. xviii. 296) 
that Sphinx convolvuli produces no sound whilst hovering in search 
of food. ‘The sound created by the rapid vibration of the wings 
is very perceptible, but to detect it, whilst the insect is poised, 
the entomologist must lay aside his eagerness to catch, being 
content to watch, and bend his head in perfect quietness over the 
flower-bed. The loss of a specimen or two might cause regret to 
some, but the true lover of Nature delights in taking cognizance 
of everything. With me Macroglossa stellatarum is a great 
favourite, but Sphinx convolvuli excels, although in many things 
resembling the former. With its prodigious size is combined 
ease of movement; the graceful manner in which it coils and 
uncoils the long proboscis; the lightness with which it floats 
from flower to flower, ever and anon poising itself to extract the 
nectar, and then darting off in a rapid but somewhat irregular 
flight, sometimes to a considerable height, perhaps to return to 
the same flower-bed,—is simply delightful to a keen observer. I 
may mention that this Sphinx commences its flight before day- 
light has departed, and appears to be fearless of moonlight, thus 
making observation simple. ‘Those who desire this species 
should cultivate the white petunia, and if this lepidopteron is to 
be found in the neighbourhood few will be the seasons during 
which specimens may not be taken.—L. F. Aruen; East Park 
House, Southampton, November 21, 1885. 
PreRFORATED Ova or LrEpmpoprERA.—It is not quite clear to 
me whether Mr. C. B. Holman Hunt (Entom. xviii. 324) is 
astonished at the discovery of perforated ova in a given genus, or 
whether he wishes for information as to “ perforated ova” in 
Lepidoptera generally. In the latter case he will do well to 
