AND TIIKIR TRANSFORMATIONS, H 



R6aumur was at once disproTcd by unrolling tlic maxillre, and holding the palpi apart with a pin ; yet the noise 

 was still produced — so also by strongly compressing the root of the proboscis with pliers, so as to prevent the 

 passage of air, the opinion of JI. Passerini was shown to be untenable. Again, by holding the -wings 

 close to the body, and preventing their action upon the frontal scales, the suggestion of M. de Johet is 

 disproved, because at such time the insect cries loudest ; the scales remaining perfectly motionless at the time. 

 The observations of Messrs. Loroy and Goureau are in like manner disproved by the action of the apparatus at 

 the base of the abdomen not being always accompanied by the cry ; moreover both sexes produce the sound ; 

 whereas the apparatus in question onlj' exists in the male — and not only in this, but in otlier species of Sphingidse 

 which are mute. On a subsequent occasion Jf. Duponchel jun. was led to believe that the sound was caused by 

 the friction of the prothorax against the mesothorax ; and M. Goureau, {Annalcs, 1838,) that it was by the air 

 passing through the prothoracic spiracles, which are large, and placed on a small protuberance. The last- 

 mentioned author (who has published an elaborate memoir on the sounds of insects) has still more recently 

 {Annales, 1840) suggested that the cry of this insect is analogous to that made by the Hymenoptera and Diptera, 

 which ho terms " piaulement," caused by the vibrations of the thorax put in motion by its strong muscles, and 

 which gives an impulse to the wings, when their action is complete ; and that it is moreover probable that the 

 action of the scales upon the mesothorax contributes to the noise which (unlike that of the Orthoptera and 

 Cicada?, but like that of certain Hymenoptera) consists of a union of two sounds, one acute, produced by the 

 vibration of the thoracic segments, and the other by the action of the scales in the mesothorax. This 

 suggestion may be easily verified by those who have an (>pportunity, by holding the insect carefully in the 

 fingers so as to perceive whether there be an)^ decided motion altering according to the strength of the cry. 

 Considering that the insect has now become by no means uncommon in this country, it is not very creditable 

 to our English collectors that no one among them has attempted the solution of the (juestion. The only original 

 observation made upon the subject in this country is one I am now enabled to jjublish, upon the authority 

 of 3Ir. Raddon, namely, that the insect is able to produce the sound before quitting the pupa case. 



Another peculiarity connected with the history of this moth consists in its attacking bee-hives, ravaging the 

 honey, and dispersing the inhabitants. It is singular that a creature with only the advantage of size should dare, 

 without sting or shield, singly, to attack in their strongholds these well-armed and numerous people ; and still 

 more singular, that amongst so many thousands of bees it should always contend victoriously. Huber, who first 

 noticed the fact, asks, " May not this moth— the dread of superstitious people— also exercise a secret influence 

 over insects, and have the fiiculty, cither by sound or some other means, of paralysing their courage ? May not 

 such sounds as inspire the vulgar with dread bo also the dread of bees ? " He also states that he was witness to 

 the curious fact that some bees, as if expecting their enemy, had barricaded themselves by means of a thick wall 

 of propolis and wax, completely obstructing the entrance of the hive, but penetrated by passages for one or two 

 workers at a time ; thus instructing us, that at the period when the moth appears, when also wasjis and robber 

 bees attack the hive, it is advantageous to narrow the entrances to it so as to prevent the depredations of these 

 obnoxious insects. 



The species appears to be distributed over the greater part of England and Scotland, and many specimens are 

 annually obtained by labom-crs when employed in getting up potatoes : this is a better plan of procuring specimens 

 than by feeding the caterpiUars, because, although they thrive well and change to chrysalides, it is difficult to 



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