PREHISTORIC BOTANISTS. 139 
in its habit of growth; but the eye of the Sphinx knew better, and 
has begun to adopt the plant in its limited diet, for is it not the 
Ampelopsis tricuspidata, a grape-bearing vine close akin to our 
Virginia-creeper? I have found the caterpillars feeding upon it. 
A smaller Sphinx, with thorn upon its tail, known as the 
“Hog Caterpillar,” is perhaps the most common species found 
upon the Vzézs. But, says my incredulous observer, “Here is the 
identical caterpillar which I have found upon a sprig of wild aza- 
lea, and have often seen upon the Axdromeda and Clethra and 
other plants of the Heath family.” And the impeachment would 
certainly seem complete. If we keep the insect until the follow- 
ing spring, however, the moth which emerges from the chrysalis 
will dispel all doubt. It is found to be a distinct species—the 
Versicolor, which is as partial to the Heath family as its double 
was to the Vz¢zs. 
Then there is that great green Sphinx caterpillar, which is the 
pest of the tobacco- grower, and the thrilling prize of the small 
boy entomologist, and whose loud-humming, long-tongued moth 
hovers about our twilight honeysuckles—one of the largest of its 
kind. It is hardly necessary to mention that this is the same 
voracious feeder which we find upon tomato and potato plants, 
as well as occasionally upon the red-berried nightshade, ground- 
cherry, and apple of Peru. I have never happened to find it on 
henbane or stramonium; but who shall dispute that the botanical 
skill which should include the former list might not also extend 
to all the rest of the Solaxum tribe? 
Once, when a boy, I found a voracious Sphinx upon “pusley,” 
the “mean” weed of the garden, and reared it to the moth—the 
white-lined Sphinx. The following year I found the same cater- 
pillar on the flowering portulaca, and I have no doubt he is as fond 
of the “spring beauty” as are the poets, if we could only chance 
to observe it, for the Purslane family embraces all these plants. 
The botanical acumen of the Sphinx extends to various other 
plant tribes. The sphinx Kaldmzz knows not only the mountain- 
laurel, but many other heathworts, notably whortleberry, azalea, 
and cranberry. The Oleander sphinx finds the oleander flavor in 
