Catalogue of North American Sphinges. 283 
figured and for the most part described in Dr. Boisduval’s “ His- 
toire et Iconographie des Lepidoptéres de l’Amérique Septentrio- 
hale,” I propose, at the present. time, to offer for publication 
descriptions of the native insects in my collection belonging to 
the second grand division of the order Lepidoptera, comprising 
the Sphinges of Linneus. Should these be favorably received, 
they may hereafter be followed by descriptions of our Phaleenze 
or moths. The larve or caterpillars of many of the species are 
described partly from my own observations, and partly from the 
figures given by Mr. Abbot in his great work, on the Lepidoptera 
of Georgia, edited by Sir James E. Smith. My obligations to 
the gentlemen who have favored me with specimens will be 
found recorded on almost every page of this catalogue, and I beg 
leave to tender to them my most grateful acknowledgments, and 
‘ Solicit from them, and from others, a continuation of similar 
avors. 
Linneus was led to give the name of Sphinx to the insects in 
his second group of the Lepidoptera, from a fancied resemblance 
Which some of their larve, when at rest, have to the Sphinx of 
the Egyptians. The attitude of these larve is indeed very re- 
Inatkable. Supporting themselves by their four or six hind-legs, 
they elevate the fore-part of the body, afid remain immovably 
ed in this posture for hours together. In the winged state the 
true Sphinges are known by the name of humming-bird moths, 
ftom the sound which they make in flying, and hawk-moths, 
ftom their habit of hovering in the air while taking their food. 
hese humming-bird or hawk-moths may be seen during the 
Morning and evening twilight flying with great swiftness from 
Wer to flower. Their wings are long, narrow, and pointed, 
and are moved by powerful muscles, to accommodate which 
their bodies are very thick and robust. They delight most in 
the honeysuckle and scarlet Bignonia, from the tubular blossoms 
of which they extract the honey, while on the wing, by means of 
eir excessively long maxilla or tongue. Other Sphinges fly 
during the day-time only, and in the bright sunshine. Then it 
'S that our large clear-winged Sesie# make their appearance among 
the flowers, and regale themselves with their sweets. The fra- 
stant Phlox is their especial favorite. From their size and form 
and fan-like tails, from their brilliant colors, the swiftness of their 
ight, and the manner in which they take their food, poised upon 
