II ON ANIMAL LIFE 53 



conspicuous. On older and larger ones the 

 lines are diagonal, like the nerves of leaves. 

 Conspicuous caterpillars are generally either 

 nauseous in taste, or protected by hairs. 



Fig. 1. — Charocampa porceUus. 



I say " generally," because there are some 

 interesting exceptions. The large caterpillars 

 of some of the Elephant Hawkmoths are very 

 conspicuous, and rendered all the more so by 

 the presence of a pair of large eyelike spots. 

 Every one who sees one of these caterpillars 

 is struck by its likeness to a snake, and the 

 so-called '' eyes " do much to increase the de- 

 ception. Moreover, the ring on which they 

 are placed is swollen, and the insect, when 

 in danger, has the habit of retracting its head 

 and front segments, which gives it an addi- 

 tional resemblance to some small reptile. That 

 small birds are, as a matter of .fact, afraid of 

 these caterpillars (which, however, I need not 

 say, are in reality altogether harmless) Weis- 



