MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 



193 



and even have in view the annoyance as well as the repelling 

 of their foes. The great rove-beetle (Goerius olens) presents 

 an object sufficiently terrific, when with its large jaws expand- 

 ed, and its abdomen turned over its head, like a scorpion, it 

 menaces its enemies, some of which this ferocious attitude 

 may deter from attacking it. Mr. Bingley informs us that 

 the giant earwig (Labidura gigantea), a rare species that his 

 researches have added to the catalogue of British insects, turns 

 up over its head, in a similar manner, its abdomen, which 

 being armed at the end with a large forceps must give it an 

 appearance still more alarming. 1 



The caterpillars of some hawk-moths (Sphinx), particularly 

 that which feeds upon the privet, when they repose, holding 

 strongly with their prolegs the branch on which they are 

 standing, rear the anterior part of their body so as to form 

 nearly a right angle with the posterior ; and in this position it 

 will remain perfectly tranquil, — thus eluding the notice of 

 its enemies, or alarming them, — perhaps for hours. Reaumur 

 relates that a gardener in the employment of the celebrated 

 Jussieu used to be quite disconcerted by the self-sufficient air 

 of these animals, saying they must be very proud, for he had 

 never seen any other caterpillars hold their head so high. 2 

 From this attitude, which precisely resembles that which 

 sculptors have assigned to the fabulous monster called by that 

 name, the term Sphinx has been used to designate this genus 

 of insects. — The caterpillar of a moth (Lophopteryx camelina) 

 noticed by the author just quoted, whenever it rests from 

 feeding, turns its head over its back, then become concave, at 

 the same time elevating its tail, the extremity of which re- 

 mains in a horizontal position, with two short horns like ears 

 behind it. Thus the six anterior legs are in the air, and the 

 whole animal looks like a quadruped in miniature ; the tail 

 being its head — the horns its ears — and the reflexed head 

 simulating a tail curled over its back. 3 In this seemingly 

 unnatural attitude it will remain without motion for a very 

 long time. 



Some lepidopterous larvae, that fix the one half of the body 



1 Plate I. Fig. 7. Linn. Trans, x. 404. 2 Reaum. ii. 253. 



3 Reaum. ii. 260. t. 20. f. 10, 11. Compare Sepp. IV. t. i. f. 3—7. 

 VOL. II. O 



