208 



THE INSECT WOELD. 



classed. We refer to the Death's-head Moth (Ac/ierontia atropos). 

 It is the largest species of Hawk-moth. This insect presents, 

 roughly marked out in light yellow, on the black ground of its 

 thorax, a human skull. This funereal symbol, joined to the plain- 

 tive cry which this moth emits when frightened, has sometimes 



Fig. 192. The Convolvulus Sphinx (Sphinx convolvuli). 



inspired terror into the whole population of a country. The appear- 

 ance of this moth in certain countries having coincided with 

 the invasion of an epidemic disease, some thought they saw in 

 this doleful sylph of the night the messenger of death. The 

 Acherontia atropos plays a great part in the superstitions which 

 are believed in by the country folks in England. One hears 

 it said in country places that this ominous inhabitant of the 

 air is in league with the witches, and that it goes and murmurs 

 into their ears with its sad and plaintive voice the name of 

 the person whom death is soon to carry off. In spite of 

 its ominous livery, the Atropos does not come from Hades; 

 it is no envoy of death, bringing sadness and mourning. 

 It does not bring us news of another world ; it tells us, 011 



