372 NOTES ON DEILEPHILA EUPHORBLE. 



on the same sprig of spurge ; the one with red head and tail 

 being a few days older than the others. After this they grow 

 very fast ; the middle uncoloured figure represents one at about 

 five weeks old. In nine weeks the caterpillar attains its full 

 size and perfect beauty, as represented in the upper figure ; 

 the red line down the back, the red head and tail, and the 

 double row of yellow spots along each side, distinguish it rea^Jiy 

 from every other described or known caterpillar ; when full fed, 

 Mr. Curtis informs us,4he caterpillars are so conspicuous that 

 marine birds see them at a distance, and devour great numbers 

 of them. 



Two or three days after the caterpillar has attained the size 

 depicted, it ceases to eat, crawls down the stem of the spurge, 

 and roves about on the sand in the most restless manner ; after 

 wandering for many hours in this way, it makes a shallow 

 hole in the sand, and, without spinning any web, becomes a 

 chrysalis, as represented by the lowest of the three principal 

 figures ; this takes place in September, and in the following 

 June the perfect insect again appears. *' Sometimes, however," 

 observes Mr. Curtis, " they remain in the pupa state two 

 seasons, as many of the Lepidoptera do ; a wise precaution of 

 nature, to prevent any accident from destroying the whole 

 brood. The sand-hills, where the larvae are found, being of 

 great extent, must have been collected by the winds and storms 

 to which they are constantly exposed; during the winter the 

 whole soil is frequently removed, so as completely to alter the 

 surface of the country ; a great number of the pupae must con- 

 sequently be either destroyed, or buried at a considerable 

 depth below the surface, where probably they lie hid until 

 brought to life and light by the influence of the elements." 



Mr. Curtis gives a general view of the group called Crejius- 

 cularia, or Lovers of twilight, a name we think rather ei'ro- 

 neous. The species are nocturnal or diui-nal ; but this we 

 apprehend does not make them crepuscular. Sesia is a true 

 lover of the sun ; its flight is only in his rays ; he who has not 

 seen this faery creature pendulizing over a purple patch of 

 Ajuga, — anon descending to sip, without alighting, the sweets 

 of each corolla, — he who has not watched its porrected tube 

 dive into cup after cup, its body the while motionless, its legs 

 shivering, and its wings invisible through excess of motion ; 

 he who has not seen it again rise, and again pendulize, and 



