death's-head sphinx. 163 



two circumstances been regarded by the ignorant as 

 an object of superstitious terror. By such, the " very 



Death's-head Moth. 



shining of its eyes is thought to represent the fiery 

 element, whence it is supposed to have proceeded. 

 Flying into their apartments in the evening, it at 

 times extinguishes the light, foretelling war, pesti- 

 lence, hunger, death, to man and beast." * 



The caterpillar is of considerable size, and remark- 

 able both in its form and colouring ; yet I have never 

 seen one alive, nor have I heard of its being ob- 

 served in any of the potato fields in this vicinity. 

 This may arise partly from their being few in 

 number, and partly from their lying concealed in 

 the day time, and feeding principally during the 

 night. 



The remaining insects of the order Lepidoptera are 

 comprised under the general name of " Moth." This 

 * Journal of a Naturalist, p. 328. 



M 2 



