HA WK-MOTHS. 1 2 1 



rapidity hence is derived their name of " Hawk-Moth ;" they may frequently 

 be seen poising themselves on the wing before the bells of tubular flowers, 

 from which they extract the nectar by means of their long and flexible pro- 

 boscis. The largest of our native species is 



The Death's-head Hawk-Moth (Sphinx atropos), so called from a singular 

 mark resembling a skull and cross bones, which it bears at the back of its thorax. 

 Probably on account of its carrying these lugubrious insignia, this fine insect is gene- 

 rally looked on by the ignorant with superstitious dread, and its occasional twilight 



FIG. 122. DEATH'S-HEAD HAWK-MOTH. 



intrusion into a house is an event commonly regarded with horror. Yet it is a harmless 

 creature, except that it will sometimes make its way into a bee-hive, and regale itself 

 with honey ; the bees, in some way not understood, tolerating its visits, although they 

 might easily sting it to death. The caterpillar is very large, attaining a length of five 

 or six inches ; its colour is yellow, ornamented with blue stripes on the sides ; it feeds 

 on the leaves of the potato, the vine, and the jasmine, and, in the month of August, 

 burrows into the earth to undergo its pupa change. The perfect insect makes its 

 appearance in the month of September. 



The Nocturnal Lepidoptera always keep their wings when at 

 rest in a horizontal or inclined position ; in this respect they re- 

 semble the Crepuscular species, from which, however, they are 

 easily distinguished by the shape of their antennas, which diminish 

 in size from the base to the point, or, in other words, are setace- 

 ous. These Lepidoptera, which are sometimes called Phalenae, 

 ordinarily fly only at night, or in the evening after sunset. In 

 some species, the females are without wings, or have them very 

 small. Their chrysalids are almost always round or lodged in a 

 cocoon. 



This family is very numerous, and is divided into several tribes ; 

 the most interesting is that of the Bombyces (Bombyx)* to which 

 belongs 



* /3 V3i>, bombyx, a silkworm. 



