death's head sphinx. 35 



as a very rare insect ; and, as the caterpillar feeds 

 chiefly by night, concealing itself during the day 

 under leaves, &c., it is not often detected ; yet, 

 from some singular circumstances favourable to its 

 breed, there are some seasons in which it is even 

 plentiful. Dr Shaw tells us, that in the autumn of 

 1 804, the caterpillar was so common in some coun- 

 tries as to be very prejudicial to the potato plants, 

 particularly in some parts of Cornwall and Surrey. 

 This animal is a great enemy to bees ; and on this 

 interesting point I shall quote what Mr Huber states, 

 in a chapter entitled, " On a New Enemy of Bees." 

 " Among the labours of insects," says he, " those 

 which concem the defence of their habitations are 

 not the least deserving the attention of man, who 

 is so often called on to fortify himself against the 

 enterprises of his enemies. It is here that Nature 

 unfolds the most unexpected resources, where she 

 admits of the greatest latitude ; for the chances of 

 war are the object of one of those general laws con- 

 curring to the preservation of universal order. 

 Without the alternatives of success and reverse, 

 how could an equilibrium be maintained ? One 

 species, endowed with superior strength, would an- 

 nihilate another. Nevertheless, the most timid have 

 subsisted since the origin of things ; their tactics, 

 their industry, and their fecundity, or other circum- 

 stances peculiar to their kind, have enabled them to 

 escape that extinction which seems to menace them. 



