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the caterpillar of the Large Elephant Hawk moth (Cherocampa 
elpenor). This caterpillar is seldom seen in the daytime, generally 
hiding at the roots of its food plant. It possesses eye-like marks 
on each side of the body, which are not especially distinctive in its 
normal attitude. On being disturbed, however, it retracts its first 
segment into its body, and thus swells up its head, bringing into. 
prominence four enormous brutal looking eyes. 
In the next example we have a combination of several methods: 
of defence. Most ot us know the caterpillar of the Puss moth 
(Cerura vinula) which is frequently found on willow trees. Itis a 
very comical looking creature, with two tails sticking out behind, 
and with little protuberances on each side of the head like ears. 
When it is disturbed or annoyed it raises up its head, also its 
hinder segments, and then withdraws its head into the first body- 
ring. The two black spots on its body then appear like eyes, giving 
to the flat place an intensely grotesque and terrifying appearance.. 
From each of its two tails it can protrude a fleshy filament of a 
pink colour, with the view, it is supposed of driving away 
ichneumon flies, to the attacks of which it is much exposed, and 
which have a habit of affixing their eggs behind the head of the 
caterpillar. This remarkable caterpillar has a still further means. 
of defence, which is rather of an aggressive nature. The lower: 
part of the head is perforated by a slit-like opening, leading into a. 
gland which secretes a clear fluid. It is stored up in a considerable- 
quantity and ejected with great force. If it enters the eye it 
causes acute pain. The fluid consists of a mixture of formic acid 
and water. It is probably chiefly used as a defence against the- 
ichneumon flies. 
The next example is that of the caterpillar of the Lobster moth 
(Stauropus fagi). It is somewhat rare in this country. This: 
singular larva is reddish-brown, with two humps on each segment 
from the fifth to the ninth; the anal segments are carried erect, at 
right angles to the rest of the body ; on the last segment are two. 
short tails. When at rest it resembles a withered leaf curled up. 
** As soon as the larva is disturbed it holds the anterior part erect,. 
and assumes a terrifying position which mimics that of a large- 
spider. All the points in a spider’s attitude and appearance which 
impress the imagination are seized upon by the larva and exagger- 
- ated for the sake of effect, while quite novel touches are added 
with the same object. The hind part of the body is turned so. 
far over the head that the two appendages project over it, and 
they are at the same time made to emerge. In this position they 
strongly suggest the appearance of a pair of antenne, and add an 
ideal finish to the apparent monster, which is, indeed, exactly like 
nothing upon earth, but which is nevertheless most effective in its: 
