DEATHS-HEAD MOTH. 205 



band across the middle of each wing and a slightly 

 darkened edging. The antennae are very thick, covered 

 with down, and furnished at the tips with a sharp hook. 



The larva of this Moth is of enormous size, and is 

 a very handsome creature, and exceedingly variable 

 in tint, the general colour varying through different 

 shades of yellow, green, and grey. The whole surface 

 is covered with very tiny black dots, and on each side 

 are seven diagonal blue or purple stripes, edged with 

 white. Near the end of the tail is a curious horn-like 

 appendage, curved downwards and then slightly re- 

 curved upwards near the point. The horn, contrary 

 to the usual fashion of such horns, is very rough and 

 covered with tubercles. 



It feeds on various plants, of which the jessamine 

 and the potato are the favourites, though it may be 

 found on the sno\vberry, the tea-tree, and the deadly 

 nightshade, this plant being allied to the potato. This 

 caterpillar is invariably called a locust by the country 

 people. 



One of the most remarkable points in connection 

 with this insect is its capability of producing sounds 

 a capability which is scarcely less striking than the 

 skull depicted upon its thorax. If seized, or alarmed 

 in any way, it produces for I cannot say utters a 

 sharp squeaking sound, something like the cry of a 

 mouse. 



Although this sound is familiar to entomologists, 

 no one has yet discovered its source. Some have 

 thought that it is caused by the rubbing of the head 

 against the thorax, some by the attrition of the an- 

 tennae and trunk, and some by the friction of the thorax 



