470 1NSECTA. 



The caterpillars have always sixteen feet. The chrysalides are 

 destitute of the points or angles observed in most of those of the di- 

 urrial Lepidoptera, and are usually enclosed in a cocoon or con- 

 cealed, either in the earth, or under some body. These Lepidoptera 

 frequently appear only in the morning or evening. They compose 

 the genus 



SPHINX, Lin. 



So named from the attitude of several of the caterpillars, which resembles 

 that of the fabled monster so called. 



I will divide this subgenus into four sections. The first, or that of the 

 HESPERI-SPHINGES, consists of Lepidoptera, which evidently connect the 

 Hesperiae with Sphinx proper. The antenna are always simple, thickened 

 in the middle or at the extremity which forms a hook, narrowed into a point 

 at the end, and without a tuft of scales. They all have a very distinct pro- 

 boscis; the inferior palpi are composed of three very apparent joints. In 

 some, the second is elongated and strongly compressed, the third slender, 

 almost cylindrical and nearly naked; these palpi resemble those of the 

 Uraniae; in others, they are shorter but wider, almost cylindrical, and well 

 furnished with scales. The antennae of the latter are only inflated at the 

 extremity. 



This section is composed ofJlgarista, Coronis and Castnia. 



Those of our second section, or the SPHIBTGIDES, always have the antennae 

 terminated by a little flake of scales; the inferior palpi broad, or compressed 

 transversely, densely covered with scales, and the third joint usually in- 

 distinct. 



Most of the caterpillars have an elongated, smooth body, thickest at the 

 posterior extremity, which is furnished with a horn, and its sides striped 

 obliquely or longitudinally. They live on leaves, and are metamorphosed 

 in the earth without spinning a cocoon. 



SPHINX proper. 



Where the antennae, commencing from the middle, form a prismatic club, 

 simply ciliated, or transversely striated on one side in the manner of a rasp. 

 They have a very distinct proboscis and fly with great velocity, hovering 

 over flowers with a humming noise. In the chrysalides of some species 

 the sheath of the proboscis projects in the manner of a snout. 



S. Jltropos, L. Superior wings variegated with deep and yellowish- 

 brown, and light-yellowish;" inferior wings yellow, with two brown bands; 

 a yellowish spot with two black dots on the thorax; abdomen yellowish, 

 with black annuli, and without a terminal brush. This is the largest 

 species in France. The spot on the thorax resembling a death's head, 

 and the sharp sound it produces (attributed by Reaumur to its rubbing 



