CHEPUSCULARIA ; SPHINGES, OK HAWK-MOTHS. 179 



which derives its name from the peculiar attitudes, resembling 

 that of the sculptured Sphinx of antiquity, into which the larva 

 sometimes throws itself (Fig. 498, 2 ). The Moths have the an- 

 tennas prismatic, and usually thickened towards the extremity, 

 although the apex is slender and pointed. Although the Lepi- 

 doptera arranged under this division are mostly twilight-fliers, 

 this is not the case with all ; for there are some which come abroad 

 in open day, and suck the juices of flowers with their long trunks, 

 whilst the sun is brightly illumining their wings. These species 

 are observed to be more brilliantly coloured than the rest ; the 

 body and wings in most of the Sphinges having a dull, brownish- 

 grey aspect, like that of many Owls, whose habits are similar. 

 The larvae have always sixteen feet ; and the pupae are either 

 inclosed in a cocoon, or bury themselves in the earth. The perfect 

 insects make a loud humming noise in their flight. One of the 

 most remarkable of this group is the Acherontia atropos, Death's- 

 Head Moth (Fig. 412), which is distinguished by the skull-like 

 patch on the back of the thorax, as well as by the squeaking sound 

 which it emits. In consequence of the peculiar aspect of the body, 

 the sudden appearance of this insect in large numbers has been 

 commonly regarded as ominous of evil. It is a great enemy to 

 Bees ; entering their hives, devouring their honey, and alarming 

 them so much, that they keep aloof from it instead of attacking 

 it, although it has no means of defence. The Macroglossa Stella- 

 tarum, or Humming-bird Hawk-Moth, commonly known under 

 the name of " Bee-bird," is one of the most beautiful of the diur- 

 nal species ; and is remarkable for the loudness of the sound 

 which it produces, when feeding poised upon its wings. It might 

 thus be almost regarded as the representative, in our own climes, 

 of those feathered beauties after which it is named, that delight 

 the eyes of the observer of Nature in tropical regions. 



774. The group of NOCTUUNA, or True Moths, forming 

 the second division of the Heterocerous Lepidoptera, is by far 

 the most extensive of the Order, and includes the largest spe- 

 cies. In their general aspect, Sphinges and Moths are some- 

 what alike ; but they may be at once distinguished by the form 

 of the antennae, which taper in the latter from base to point. 



