( viii ) 



neglected liiiuilies nC large iu seels— we enuld searcely avciid diseovei-iiig urgails 

 hitherto overlnuked, aud (hi'nwing a new light on uUiers which, tlioligli known 

 to exist, had not been studied eoiuparatively. 



The organ of friction on the clasper and eighth tergite, found in iiiauy 

 males; the structure of the inner surface of the palpi; the develoimient of the 

 pilifer and the aniennal end-segment; the special structure of the inermu of 

 the ujcso- and nietacoxae : tin' iliverse development of the abdominal spination ; 

 the reduction of the pulvillus and paroujchium of the claw-segmeuts ; certain 

 dirt'ereuces in (he end-segmeul of the antennae ; the peculiar mid- and hiiidtarsal 

 comb, etc., have never been taken into account in the classificatioii of the 

 Sjj/ii/iffidat'. 



However, we were very much hampered in one respect. We should have 

 liked to extend our researches in the same degree to the early stages. The 

 Sphingidne being for the greater part exotic species, the larvae and [lupae are 

 known only of a comjiaratively very small pro]iortiim. ^\'e were faced nearly 

 everywhere by a lack of material. Though we have tried, during the years 

 devoted to study of these insects, to obtain larvae and pupae from all countries 

 where we have correspondents, we had very scant success, and scarcely any 

 success in ju-ocuring the tirst larval stages. The larvae and i)Upae of many of 

 (he commonest Hawk Moths are still unknown i[uautities.* Nevertheless, our 

 studies of the early stages have not been quite fruitless, inasmuch as they 

 showed us that it is as dangerous to generalise from a few specimens or 

 species in tlie case of larvae aud jKipae as it is in the case of imagines. The 

 studies proved to us on the one hand that the ileductions commonly drawn 

 trom the characters of European Sphikyidaf are faulty in many respects, and 

 on the other hand that one meets in the larvae and pupae with similarities 

 m not nearly related species and conspicitous dissimilarities in close relatives, 

 just as one huds such jiuzzks in the adults— puzzles which are stumbliug- 

 bhicks lur tiie classifier, aud a source of pleasure for an inquisitive mind. 



The figures of the larvae and pupae are, witli few exceptions, of little 

 use, it drawn by amateurs who do not recognise aud emphasise the essential 

 points. The illustrations of juipae especially leave much to be desired. We 

 draw attenti(]n to the following iiarticulars, which we venture to hope will not 

 be so ol'ten neglected in future by the artists who are trying to give an 



As the oRliiiary. noii-residout, collector in Ihu Tropics sliuiis iiillating larvae on .iccount of 

 llic lime it occuijics and the trouble il ^'ivcs liini, we thiuk it advisable to call attention lieie to tbu 

 following very simple method of preserving .vnall larvae. Put the larva, after it is suffocated by 

 benzine or chloroform, into a glass tube heated over a flame. The specimen will contract, then expand 

 and burst, iukI dry in this expanded sLUe. Let the tube ccjol and take the larva out. In absence of 

 a t'lase tube, one may use a piece of tin or anything that will shmd heatin-. 



