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an exotic plant. What did the Death's-head feed on previous to 

 the introduction of the potato ? The Humming-bird Sphinx was 

 common this summer in the latter part of June. The last year 

 they were common they appeared in May, when the yellow 

 azaleas were in bloom. I remember writing in THE FIELD soon 

 afterwards, remarking that I had been disappointed ; the insect 

 had not remained abundant, as I supposed when the breed was 

 once got up again it would so remain. Caterpillars that year 

 were to be found, and as the species appears again the same year, 

 I had expected, from the quantity in spring, the number in 

 autumn would have greatly increased, but it was not so. The 

 Caterpillars kept in confinement came out in autumn ; but at that 

 season I saw but one perfect insect, and the following year they 

 were as scarce as ever. I then inquired how this was to be 

 accounted for. That year those seen in May appeared to have 

 lived over winter, being much paler in colour than those bred in 

 confinement, and paler in colour than those which appeared this 

 year in late June. Is it known at what time the eggs are laid, 

 whether before or after the insect has flown ? I presume those 

 that fly early in the season deposit their eggs, which come to 

 perfect insects the same autumn. It seems probable that the eggs 

 laid by the later flying insects may not produce perfect insects 

 till the next spring, and even then only if the temperature is 

 favourable to their coming from the chrysalis. Many of the 

 larger moths, and some of the butterflies, are very regular in ap- 

 pearing at their exact seasons, and only fly at such seasons, and 

 sometimes very short they are, during the year ; whilst others^ 

 like the Common "White Butterfly, appear to come in rapid suc- 

 cession to perfection all the summer and autumn, provided the 

 weather is suitable. I remember a few years since hearing a 

 humming noise in the room which I thought was made by a large 

 beetle, which ceased on the light being extinguished; in the 

 morning, at daylight, I heard the same noise, and on going to MT 

 what produced it, I found it was a Humming-bird Sphinx 

 fluttering against the window. The species, perhaps, has derived 

 its name from this noise, as well MS 1'nmi its resemblance to a 



