ox AXLMAL LIFK 



58 



conspicuous. ( )n older and larger ones the 

 lines are diagonal, like the ner\es of leaves. 

 Conspicuous caterpillars are generally either 

 nauseous in taste, or protected Ijy hairs. 



Fig. 1. — Chajrocainpa porceUus. 



I say "■ generally," because tliere are some 

 intei'estine: exceptions. The large caterijillars 

 of some of the Elephant Ilawkmotlis are very 

 conspicuous, and rendered all the more so by 

 tlie presence of a pair of lai'ge eyelike spots. 

 Every one \\\io sees one of these cater})illars 

 is struck l>y its likeness to a snake, and the 

 so-called " eyes " do nnich to increase the de- 

 ception. Moreover, the i-ing on which they 

 are placed is swollen, and the insect, when 

 in danger, has the halht of retracting its head 

 and front segments, ^vhich gi\'es it an addi- 

 tional reseml)lance to some small reptile. That 

 small liiitls are, as a matter of fact, afraid of 

 these caterpillars (which, however, I need not 

 say, are in reality altogether harmless) AA'eis- 



