178 ZOOLOGY. 
selves) are called moths, and the species of Sphinx are named humming- 
birds. The body is generally clothed with a hairy covering, the. eyes are 
usually large, and the stemmata, when present, are usually hidden by the 
hair. The antennz present several types of form, but in their details they 
offer some important variations from the simple types. The scales of the 
wings contribute much to the variety and splendor of the tints observable 
in these insects, which probably surpass all the other orders in their 
coloring. In a few the disks of the wings are without scales, leaving them 
transparent. The distribution of the nervures in the wings varies, and is’ 
now employed in classification. The wings are reduced in size, or wanting, 
in some females. In some genera they are carried vertically over the back, 
in some they are horizontal, and in others deflexed. The feet are penta- 
merous, generally hairy, and in most cases of equal length; but in some the 
anterior pair are so much reduced in size as to be of no use in walking. 
The liquids of flowers furnish the Lepidoptera with food, but in some 
cases they require none in the adult state. 
In the larva state they are known as voracious eaters, under the name of 
caterpillars. These have a mandibulate mouth, composed of a pair of 
corneous mandibles, a pair of maxillee each with a small palpus, and a labium 
with two palpi. They have six thoracic feet corresponding to those of the 
imago, and a number of abdominal or false feet, varying from four to ten. 
These are used chiefly for holding, and the former for walking. They 
generally move forwards, but those of the Zortricede can move rapidly 
backwards, and some, by bending and straightening the body suddenly, can 
leap. Some caterpillars are smooth, some covered with hair, which may 
be harmless, or with the quality of nettles, and it may be long or short, dense 
or sparse, bristly or woolly; and some of them have horn-like projections. 
Some are ornamented with various bright colors; some which feed upon 
leaves are green, some found among lichens have their color, and others 
which feed upon branches resemble a projecting stick, as if to prevent their 
numerous enemies from readily recognising them. In a few cases the 
caterpillar forms a case for itself, with which it moves about, and into which 
it withdraws when danger threatens. In growing, caterpillars moult fre- 
quently, and undergo various changes in color. They usually rest by day 
and feed by night. Some are solitary and wandering, and some live in 
society, either in large webs, or congregated upon a single spot. A few live 
upon skins, hair, and wool, but the great majority of caterpillars feed upon 
vegetables, including leaves, roots, seeds, and grain. The most acrid and 
acid leaves are eaten by some species; some devour almost every kind of 
plant, and some plants feed various species. The pupa has the feet, &., 
hidden, and is motionless, except that the articulations of the abdomen are 
capable of moving. Some of these are inclosed in a silken cocoon, some 
in a cocoon formed chiefly of the hair of the caterpillar, whilst others sus- 
pend themselves without any exterior covering. 
These insects are divided according to their habits into three sections by 
Latreille: The first (Diwrna) include those which fly by day, and with very 
few exceptions they have the antennze knobbed; the second (Crepuscularia), 
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