II ON ANIMAL LIFE 53 
conspicuous. On older and larger ones the 
lines are diagonal, like the nerves of leaves. 
Conspicuous caterpillars are generally either 
nauseous in taste, or protected by hairs. 
Fig. 1.— Cherocampa porcellus. 
I say “ generally,” because there are some 
interesting exceptions. The large caterpillars 
of some of the Elephant Hawkmoths are very 
conspicuous, and rendered all the more so by 
the presence of a pair of large eyelike spots. 
Every one who sees one of these caterpillars 
is struck by its likeness to a snake, and the 
so-called “‘eyes”’ do much to increase the de- 
ception. Moreover, the ring on which they 
are placed is swollen, and the insect, when 
in danger, has the habit of retracting its head 
and front segments, which gives it an addi- 
tional resemblance to some small reptile. That 
small birds are, as a matter of fact, afraid of 
these caterpillars (which, however, I need not 
say, are in reality altogether harmless) Weis- 
