J I- MODERN ARRANGEMENT OF 



Genus SPHINX, Latreille. 



The lower palpi having but two apparent jointSj 

 the third being minute, contiguous, and scaly; 

 the club of the antennae commencing near the 

 centre, simple, or with three transverse striae, 

 bearded, and never strongly serrated ; the tongue 

 very distinct, and corneous ; the body short and 

 thick; the eyes are large; the wings nearly 

 horizontal, forming a triangle with the body ; the 

 abdomen conical ; the feet thick, with two simple 

 hooks at the end of the tarsi. 



The insects of this genus are decorated with lively and] 

 agreeable colours. They congregate and fly lightly, about 

 sunset, flitting from flower to flower, sucking melliferous liquids 

 with their long proboscis. The caterpillars have sixteen feet, 

 their skin is smooth or ganulated, and without hairs. Almost 

 all of them have a kind of bent horn on the eleventh ring, the 

 use of which is not known. Among the caterpillars, that 

 which is found on the lilac and ligustrum is remarkable for the 

 singularity of its attitude. It is generally fixed to a branch by 

 its membranous feet, with the body elevated perpendicularly 

 and the head inclined, in which position it remains for hours. 

 In this attitude it is conceived to resemble the figure? of the 

 fabulous sphinx, hence the name of the genus. 



FAMILY III. ZYG^NIDES, Latreille. 



The antennae of the greater number are destitute of 

 tufted scales at the extremity, fusiform, or some- 

 times like a ram's horn ; the labial palpi are 



