UNICORN IIAWK-MOTII. Sphinx convolvuli. 



deep pile, and feel like velvet under the fingers. A fine specimen of the Death's-head 

 Moth is the largest of our British insects, and, indeed, almost the largest insect found in 

 Europe, the spread of wing sometimes reaching nearly six inches. The antennae are 

 remarkable for their stiff and sturdy make and the curious hook with which they are 

 terminated. 



WE now arrive at the typical genus of the family, of which the CONVOLVULUS 

 HAWK-MOTH affords a good example. It may be mentioned that the term Sphingidse is 

 derived from the peculiar attitude sometimes assumed by the caterpillars, which have 

 a custom of raising the fore part of the body so as to bear a fanciful resemblance to the 

 well known attitude in which the Egyptians were accustomed to represent the mysterious 

 Sphinx. 



The fine insect which has been chosen for an illustration of this genus is scarce 

 throughout England, but seems to be found sparingly in most parts of the country, 

 especially towards the south. As is the case with many of the nocturnal moths, its 

 eyes shine brightly at night, and on account of their great size are very conspicuous in 

 this respect. The specific name of the moth has been given to it because the caterpillar 

 is known to feed on the common field convolvulus or bindweed, and it is sometimes 

 known by the title of Convolvulus or Bindweed Hawk-moth. The caterpillar is mostly 

 green, spotted and splashed with black and brown, and having a row of oblique stripes 

 on each side. Generally the stripes are yellow, and edged with black, but they are 

 sometimes wholly of the bolder colour, while the entire caterpillar sometimes assumes 

 a brownish hue. Upon the end of the tail there is a sharp curved horn, quite harmless, 

 and whose use is at present unknown. The colour of the wings is mostly wood-brown, 

 chequered with ash, grey, and white, and the abdomen is ringed with broad bands of rose- 

 colour and narrow stripes of black, while down its centre runs a broad streak of grey. 



We have several other fine British insects belonging to this genus, such as the 

 PIUVET HAWK-MOTH (Sphinx Ligustri), and the PINE HAWK-MOTH (Sphinx Pinastri). 



THE beautiful OLEANDER HAWK-MOTH belongs to another genus, in which the cater- 

 pillar has the power of prolonging or withdrawing the head and neck like the proboscis 



