326 DEATH'S HEAD CATERPILLAR 



these scales causes the sound, it is stated that during its emis- 

 sion they, only, are in a state of strong vibration, while all 

 other parts of the insect may be at rest. 



September, or the present month of October, is the season, 

 usually, when the Acherontia Atropos assumes its winged 

 form, and may be found, occasionally, resting in daytime upon 

 trunks of trees, or, attracted by the taper's light, visiting our 

 houses, where their phantom forms are, now, much oftener 

 welcomed for their rarity and real beauty than dreaded for once 

 imputed terrors. 



Invested, through the mortal emblem on its tabard, with the 

 imaginary office of herald to the Fates, disease and death were 

 anticipated in the wake of its heavy pinions, or thought to be 

 announced by its mournful cry. A whole sisterhood of nuns 

 could be terrified by the apparition of a single death's-head 

 within their holy precincts ; and a parish priest, desirous to 

 work by terror on the consciences of his flock, could find for 

 his purpose a powerful instrument in the appearance of this 

 harmless insect, which, in the year 1730, was described by 

 a cure of Bretagne, as " revetu de tout ce qu'une pompefunebre 

 offre de plus triste." Even its wings appeared to his deluding 

 or deluded fancy, to be, "marquetees commeune espece de drap 

 mortuaire." 



The caterpillar of the death's-head moth is one of the 

 largest and most beautiful of its tribe, and presents, in its bril- 

 liant colouring, a striking contrast to the lugubrious colouring 

 of its perfect form. It is of a fine yellow, obliquely barred by 

 seven green stripes on each side, with intervening lines of blue 

 and black spots. It has the pointed tail-like horn common 

 to hawk-moths, and is endowed, moreover, as in its perfect 

 state, with the gift (boasted, we believe, by no other caterpillar) 

 of a voice ; for it is said by Kirby that if disturbed, it draws 

 back rapidly and emits a loud noise, which may be compared 

 to the crackle of an electric spark. Its favourite food is fur- 

 nished by the leaves of the jasmine and potato ; and, with 



