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THE INSECT WORLD. 



lines running along it. The hind wings are of a rose tint, with three 

 black bands. The wings are of a reddish grey below with a common 

 black band. The abdomen has black and rose-coloured rings above, 

 and in the middle a brownish band wholly divided by a black line. 



This species is very common in all parts of Europe. One finds 

 it in gardens from June to September. Of all the caterpillars 

 of the genus Sphinx, this is the one which, by its attitude when in 



Fig. 189. Privet Hawk-Moth (Sphinx ligustri). 



a state of repose, most resembles the sphinx of fable, from which the 

 genus has derived its name. It is of fine apple green, with seven 

 oblique stripes, half violet and half white, placed on each side of its 

 body, and three or four small white spots beyond these stripes. The 

 stigmata are orange, the head is green, bordered with black. The 

 extremity of the body is surrounded by a smooth horn, black above, 

 yellow below (Fig. 190). This beautiful caterpillar is not rare. It 

 lives on a great number of trees and shrubs, but it is principally on 

 the privet, the lilac, and the ash tree, that it must be looked for. 

 Three or four days before it buries itself in the earth to change itself 

 into a chrysalis, its beautiful colours grow dim. During the month 



