98 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 
are large creatures, which, when quiet, often put on a very curious 
attitude. Being well and safely fixed on a twig or leaf by their 
membranous or hind feet, they lift up the front of their bodies, 
and bend the head, which is buried in the first segment; they then 
remain perfectly motionless for hours. This attitude—which is 
represented in the engraving of the Awphorbia sphinx—has excited 
much attention, and entomologists, whose imaginations are always 
. vivid, and sometimes classical, have had no difficulty in investing 
LARVA OF THE DEATH’S HEAD SPHINX MOTH. 
this larva with the majesty of the Egyptian sphinx. Indeed, one 
of these stolid larvae has sufficed to bring up the memories of 
Thebes and of the great enigma before the enthusiastic naturalist. 
The name has become popular, and there is really something 
enigmatical in the queer posture. Why should the larva imitate 
the sphinx, which it never saw? The answer may be common- 
place, but nevertheless true; it remains thus motionless to prevent 
itself being gobbled up by birds or attacked by ichneumon flies, 
which are on the look-out for everything that moves. 
