THE CURRANT CLEAR- WING. 
410 
than many an insect which can boast of treble its dimensions and dazzling richness of color. 
This insect may be readily known by its very long proboscis, the tufts at the end of the abdo- 
men, and the peculiar flight, which so exactly resembles that of the humming-bird, that persons 
accustomed to those feathered genus have often been deluded into the idea that Europe actually 
possesses a true humming-bird. 
In the curious moths of which the Hylas is a good example, the wings are as transparent 
as those of the bee tribe, and, indeed, the hymenopterous idea seems to run through the 
whole of these creatures so thoroughly, that the shapes of their bodies, the mode of flight, 
and even the manner in which they move the abdomen, are so bee and wasp-like, that an 
inexperienced observer would certainly mistake them for some species of the hymenoptera. 
Others there are which bear an equal resemblance to the gnats, and are of correspondingly 
small dimensions. 
Iy the next family, the Anthroceridse, we find a number of moths of no great dimensions, 
but possessing great brilliancy of coloring, and flying by day. A very familiar example of 
this group is found in the GtEeex Foeestee, a pretty little insect, not exceeding an inch and 
SMERINTHUS. —Smerinthus ocellatus. HUMMING-BIRD MOTH .—Macroglossa stettatarum. (Natural size.) 
a quarter in the spread of wing, but colored with extremely pure hues. It may be found 
plentifully in the month of June, and is most common on the outskirts of woods. The cater- 
pillar of this insect feeds on the common dock and several allied plants, and, like the perfect 
insect, is of a green color, but diversified with two rows of black dots along the back, and a 
row of red dots on either side. The color of the moth is very simple, the upper wings being 
of a soft golden-green, with a peculiar silken gloss, and the under wings brown. The body is 
green, but with reflections of blue. 
The well-known Btjeyet-moth, so familiar on account of the rich velvety -green, spotted 
with scarlet, which decorates its wings, also belongs to this family. The caterpillar feeds on 
many plants, and is notable for making a spindle-shaped cocoon in which it passes through its 
pupal state. This cocoon is of a light brown color, and is usually fastened to an upright stem 
of grass. 
In the iEgeriidse, the wings are as transparently clear as in the Sesiadse, and the general 
aspect is equally unlike that of a moth. A species called Cureayt Cleae-wing ( Mgeria 
tipulif ormis) is very common, and is fond of haunting currant-bushes, where it may be cap- 
tured without much difficulty, being rather dull and sluggish in taking to flight, though when 
once on the wing it is quick and agile in its movements. On account of its resemblance to the 
