The Moths and Butterflies 



433 



the foliage of various plants, and when full-grown most of them descend 

 and burrow into the ground to pupate. The chrysalid is naked, with firm, 

 dark-brown wall, and is distinguished by the odd jug-handle-like sheath 

 for the developing long imaginal proboscis. A few larvae pupate on the 



FIG. 622. Pholus achemon, above, and Pholus pandorus, below. 

 (After Lugger; natural size.) 



ground in a slight cocoon made of silk and a few leaves tied together. The 

 insects hibernate in the pupal stage; a few are said to be double-brooded. 

 The name sphinx, applied to these moths by Linnaeus a century and a half 

 ago, is suggested by the curious attitude assumed by the larvae when dis- 

 turbed; the front part of the body is lifted (Fig. 620) clear of the object 

 on which the insect is resting, and the head is bent forward on the thoracic 

 feet. This position may be held rigidly for hours. 



Of the many species found in this country we can refer to but a few of 

 the more familiar or beautiful or interesting ones, and these references may 

 be made brief because of the colored figures which are grouped in our frontis- 

 piece. These figures render descriptions unnecessary. 



