THE SPIIIN GIDsE. 
IOI 
not stop n it very long, for the chrysalis becomes metamorphosed 
in a few weeks, and then the Sphinx euphorbia may be seen 
buzzing about the flowers in the early morning and during the 
evening twilight. It is a very pretty insect, the front wings of 
which are of a subdued rose colour, with three spots of deep 
green, and an undulating band of the same shade, and the hind 
wings are of a rose tint, with black bands. 
The caterpillars of this sphinx appear a second time on the 
Euphorbias in the same year. Towards the end of September 
they hide themselves in the earth, and become chrysalides, and 
remain in that state until the next year. 
The engraving represents the sphinx hovering over the 
Euphorbia , and the caterpillars upon the leaves, one being in 
the quiet, sphinx-like attitude. The chrysalis is on the ground. 
This interesting Deilephila is stated by Mr. Stainton to 
be found in England at Scarborough and Bideford. This 
author gives some interesting descriptions of the habits of 
the larvae, which were observed by Mr. Melhuish on the coast 
of Brittany, near St. Pol de Leon. This naturalist collected 
400 of these beautiful insects in three days in the first week 
of September. He says, “ All the larvae that I saw at liberty 
were seen by me between the hours of three and six P.M. 
They were invariably actively engaged, either in feeding or in 
running over the sand, which they did with great ease, from 
one plant which they had stripped to another with leaves. The 
eggs must be always laid at the top of the plant, among the 
soft budding leaves, for this is without exception the position 
of the youngest larvae. They then gradually work their way 
downwards, till, having eaten all the leaves, they reach the 
ground, and march off in search of more, leaving a broad 
trail on the sand. They are fond of the milk, and will eat 
everything except the stringy roots of the plant. The seed 
vessels they take between their front legs, and raising them- 
selves into the sphinx posture, gnaw away at one till it is 
demolished, just like a monkey with an apple, their feet being 
placed dose before their mouths. 
If interrupted at any time while feeding, they turn round 
with the greatest fury, and spit out a quantity of green liquid 
