62 INTRODUCTION. 



China (sometimes measuring nearly a foot between 

 the tips of the expanded wings) and the Great Owl 

 Moth of Brazil, even further surpass the dimensions 

 of our largest indigenous species, than the Orni- 

 thopteri do any of our day-fly tribes. Indeed, the 

 two insects named must be regarded as the largest 

 Lepidoptera known, and there are not a few others 

 which make a pretty near approach to them in this 

 respect. Some of those which indicate by their 

 structure some relationship to the Sphinges and 

 Hesperian butterflies, are ornamented with very 

 brilliant colours ; but in general the same subdued 

 and occasionally sombre tints prevail, which we 

 witness among our native moths. Great diversity 

 of form and appearance may be expected among a 

 race of insects of such extent and varied economy : 

 it is strikingly observable in the perfect insects, but 

 the caterpillars vary in form, colours, clothing, and 

 appendages almost without end. 



It is a subject of regret that our acquaintance 

 with the caterpillars of exotic moths is still so 

 limited, although it is not difficult to account for 

 the fact. It is by no means an easy matter to pre- 

 serve them, at least in such a way as to retain their 

 forms and colours in any degree of perfection. The 

 greater number of individuals who take an interest 

 in the subject are, moreover, only casual visitors to 

 the countries where they make their collections, and 

 they have neither time nor opportunity to rear the 

 caterpillars till they disclose their moths ; and unless 

 this step be taken, the possession of the former is of 



