282 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [157— Oct., 1919 



projection and does not sting nor is it poisonous However, 

 it looks awe-inspiring and perhaps protects its owner in that way 

 The Pandora sphinx has its horn curled over its back in the young 

 stage but when fully grown the horn is shed; in its place is an 

 eye-spot which, if seen between the leaves, is enough to frighten 

 away any cautious bird fearing the evil eye of serpents. The 

 sphinx caterpillars have a habit, when disturbed or when 

 resting, of rearing up the front part of the body, telescoping the 

 head back into the thoracic segments, which in most species are 

 enlarged, and assuming a most threatening and ferocious aspect. 

 If attacked they will swing sidewise, this way and then that, 



Philampelus pandorus a humming bird moth 



making a fierce crackling soimd meanwhile, well calculated to fill 

 the trespasser with terror. When resting they often remain in 

 this lifted attitude for hours, absolutely rigid. 



The six true legs are short with sharp, little claws. There are 

 four pairs of fleshy prolegs, each foot being armed with hooks for 

 holding on to leaf or twig; and the large, fleshy prop-leg on the 

 rear segment is able to grasp a twig like a vise. All these fleshy 

 legs are used for holding on, while the true legs are used for holding 

 the edges of the leaf where the sidewise working jaws cut it freely. 

 These caterpillars do clean work, leaving only the harder and more 

 woody ribs of the leaves. 



There are nine pairs of spiracles, a pair on each segment of the 

 abdomen and on the first thoracic segment. The edges of these 

 air openings are often strikingly colored. Through the spiracles 

 the air is admitted into all the breathing tubes of the body around 



