SPHINXES. 157 



It is gra3'ish or greenish brown in color, crossed by numerous darker 

 brown markings. The linder side is pink. At tlie posterior end is an 

 eye-like spot or tubercle, making the insect look, as one observer 

 worded it, " as if the worm liad a head at each end." When handled 

 the caterpillar twists its body vigorously from side to side, making at 

 the same time a squeaking noise. Tlie winter is passed in the chrys- 

 alis state, a few inches beneath tlie surface of the o-round. 



Aiuphion uessus. 



A little jewel among the sphinx moths is Aiuphion iwssus. It 

 expands a little over two inclies, and the wings are very nuich scalloped. 

 The ground-color of the fore wings and thorax is purplish-l)ro\vn, the 

 wings being crossed by dark velvety brown markings and faint yellow- 

 ish lines, witli a spot of reddisli-brown near the tip of the wing. The 

 lower wings are margined with a broad l)and of l)ro\vn edged Avith 

 yellow, the rest of the wing being reddis]i-l)ro\vn. The abdomen is 

 dark reddish-brown, lighter on the sides, and is crossed b}^ two conspic- 

 uous bright yellow bands. The end of the abdomen bears three tufts 

 of long dark brown hairs wliich may be spread or contracted at the 

 pleasure of the insect. The white lilac and syringa are favorite flowers. 

 Its flight is not so rapid as that of other members of the family, and 

 it may be easilj^ taken, even by hand. 



I have never found this insect abundant but iiave had numerous 

 specimens sent me from (Ontario, Canada, and also from Virginia. 



The genus tSmerinthns contains some large and very handsome 

 mollis. Unlike the species of sphinx moths alread}'- described, in this 

 genus the tongue is very slioi't, almost wanting in fact, and can be of 

 little use to the insect. The fore wings are scalloped on their outer 



