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the caterpillar of the Large Elephant Hawk moth [Charocampa 

 elpmor). This caterpillar is seldom seen in the daytime, generally- 

 hiding at the roots of its food plant. It possesses eye-like marks 

 on each side of the body, which are not especially distinctive in its 

 normal attitude. On being disturbed, however, it retracts its first 

 segment into its body, and thus swells up its head, bringing into 

 prominence four enormous brutal looking eyes. 



In the next example we have a combination of several methods 

 of defence. Most ol us know the caterpillar of the Puss moth 

 (Cerura vinula) which is frequently found on willow trees. It is a 

 very comical looking creature, with two tails sticking out behind,, 

 and with little protuberances on each side of the head like ears. 

 When it is disturbed or annoyed it raises up its head, also its 

 hinder segments, and then withdraws its head into the first body- 

 ring. The two black spots on its body then appear like eyes, giving 

 to the flat place an intensely grotesque and terrifying appearance. - 

 From each of its two tails it can protrude a fleshy filament of a 

 pink colour, with the view, it is supposed of driving away 

 ichneumon flies, to the attacks of which it is much exposed, and 

 which have a habit of affixing their eggs behind the head of the 

 caterpillar. This remarkable caterpillar has a still further means 

 of defence, which is rather of an aggressive nature. The lower 

 part of the head is perforated by a slit-like opening, leading into a 

 gland which secretes a clear fluid. It is stored up in a considerable 

 quantity and ejected with great force. If it enters the eye it 

 causes acute pain. The fluid consists of a mixture of formic acid 

 and water. It is probably chiefly used as a defence against the 

 ichneumon flies. 



The next example is that of the caterpillar of the Lobster moth 

 {Stauropiis fagi). It is somewhat rare in this country. This 

 singular larva is reddish-brown, with two humps on each segment 

 from the fifth to the ninth ; the anal segments are carried erect, at 

 right angles to the rest of the body ; on the last segment are two 

 short tails. When at rest it resembles a withered leaf curled up. 

 " As soon as the larva is disturbed it holds the anterior part erect,, 

 and assumes a terrifying position which mimics that of a large 

 spider. All the points in a spider's attitude and appearance which 

 impress the imagination are seized upon by the larva and exagger- 

 ated for the sake of effect, while quite novel touches are added 

 with the same object. The hind part of the body is turned so 

 far over the head that the two appendages project over it, and 

 they are at the same time made to emerge. In this position they 

 strongly suggest the appearance of a pair of antennae, and add an 

 ideal finish to the apparent monster, which is, indeed, exactly like 

 nothing upon earth, but which is nevertheless most effective in its 



