Catalogue of North American Sphinges. 283 



figured and for the most part described in Dr. Boisduval's "His- 

 toire et Iconographie des Lepidopteres de I'Amerique Septentrio- 

 nale," I propose, at tiie present time, to offer for publication 

 descriptions of the native insects in my collection belonging to 

 the second grand division of the order Lepidoptera, comprising 

 the Sphinges of Linnaeus. Should these be favorably received, 

 they may hereafter be followed by descriptions of our Phalaense 

 or moths. The larva3 or caterpillars of many of the species are 

 described partly from my own observations, and partly from the 

 figures given by Mr. Abbot in his great work, on the Lepidoptera 

 of Georgia, edited by Sir James E. Smith. My obligations to 

 the gentlemen who have favored me with specimens will be 

 found recorded on almost every page of this catalogue, and I beg 

 leave to tender to them my most grateful acknowledgments, and 

 to solicit from them, and from others, a continuation of similar 

 favors. 



Linnffius v/as led to give the name of Sphinx to the insects in 

 his second group of the Lepidoptera, from a fancied resemblance 

 which some of their larvas, when at rest, have to the Sphinx of 

 the Egyptians. The attitude of these larvas is indeed very re- 

 markable. Supporting themselves by their four or six hind-legs, 

 they elevate the fore-part of the body, and remain immovably 

 fixed in this posture for hours together. In the winged state the 

 true Sphinges are known by the name of humming-bird moths, 

 from the sound Mdiich they make in flying, and hawk-moths, 

 from their habit of hovering in the air while taking their food. 

 These humming-bird or hawk-moths may be seen during the 

 morning and evening twilight flying with great swiftness from 

 flower to flower. Their wings are long, narrow, and pointed, 

 and are moved by powerful muscles, to accommodate which 

 their bodies are very thick and robust. They delight most in 

 the honeysuckle and scarlet Bignonia, from the tubular blossoms 

 of which they extract the honey, while on the wing, by means of 

 their excessively long maxilla) or tongue. Other Sphinges fly 

 during the day-time only, and in the bright sunshine. Then it 

 is that our large clear-winged Sesioe make their appearance among 

 the flowers, and regale themselves with their sweets. The fra- 

 grant Phlox is their especial favorite. From their size and form 

 and fan-like tails, from their brilliant colors, the swiftness of their 

 flight, and the manner in which they take their food, poised upon 



