LEPIDOPTERA. 269 



Moths. They are now, however, ranked as one group 

 of the Moths. 



This group contains, amongst others, the Sphinx 

 Family,* many of which, though not among our com- 

 monest Moths, are well known, on account of the atten- 

 tion they attract when they do appear. Their bodies are 

 large; most species have pointed and elegantly-formed 

 wings, and some are rendered further conspicuous by the 

 beauty of their colouring, and the eye-like spots on their 

 wings. The brown and rose-coloured Privet Hawk-Moth, 

 the Eyed Hawk-Moth, with rosy brown and bluish-eyed 

 wings, and the small Elephant Hawk-Moth (PL X., f. 4) 

 belong to the Sphinx family in this group. The Con- 

 volvulus, Privet, and Firtree Hawk-Moths are remark- 

 able for their long tongues, longer sometimes than the 

 whole body, and able to reach into the honeyed depths of 

 the longest flower-tubes. The singular and handsome 

 Death's-head belongs to this family, and is as remarkable 

 for shortness, as the true Sphinges for length of tongue 

 (Even the Sphinx loquacious as compared with Death !) 

 As might be expected, it does not therefore seek for 

 honey secreted in the depths of flowers. Loving this 

 food, however, as well as do its cousins, the Death's- 

 head is frequently to be found in hives feasting on the 

 sweet substance, as it lies stored therein. As, however, 

 only a few individuals can be supposed to derive nourish- 

 ment from this source, it remains to be discovered in 

 what other places, and on what other substances, the 

 insect feeds. Possibly, it may suck the juices of over- 

 ripe or bruised fruit, as Bees are well known to do in a 

 scarcity of honey. 



* So called from the sphinx-like appearance of the Caterpillar when at 

 rest. 



