48 INTUODUCriON. 



Several of the hawk-moths are among the most 

 conspicuous insects we possess, one of them the 

 largest found in Europe ; and their caterpillars are 

 likewise remarkable for their size and beautiful 

 colour. Although moths in general yield to the 

 diurnal kinds in richness of decoration and colours 

 which seem as if they caught their glowing tints 

 from the pure skies and cloudless sunshine under 

 which these gay creatures delight to roam, they 

 yet present much to please the eye even in their 

 mode of embellishment. Their subdued and occa- 

 sionally almost sombre hues are finely adapted to 

 the seasons in which they are destined for active 

 life, and are often blended and intermixed in so 

 harmonious a manner as to produce a most pleasing 

 effect. Neither is this " sober livery" by any means 

 universal among the tribe ; many are decorated with 

 the richest colours, displayed in strongly contrasted 

 bands and spots, and sometimes glossed with a 

 metallic lustre. In the form of caterpillars, too 

 they become objects of the highest interest and 

 curiosity. In that condition they exhibit examples 

 of the most laborious industry and of the greatest 

 ingenuity, together with a variety in their modes 

 of living, and peculiarity of form and appearance, 

 scarcely surpassed by any other race of little crea- 

 tures. Then also they afford those 



millions of spinning worms 



That in their green shops weave the smooth-hair 'd silk ; 

 thus adding to the other considerations recommend- 



