48 
INTRODUCTION. 
Sereral of the hawk-moths are among the most 
conspicuous insects we possess, one of them the 
largest found in Em'ope ; and their caterpillars are 
likeivise remarkable for their size and beautiful 
colour. Although moths in general yield to the 
diurnal kinds in richness of decoration and coloiu^ 
which seem as if they caught their gloiving tints 
from the pure sides and cloudless simshine imder 
which these gay creatures delight to roam, they 
yet present much to please the eye even in their 
mode of embeUishment. Their subdued and occa- 
sionally almost sombre hues are finely adapted to 
the seasons in which they are destined for active 
life, and are often blended and intermixed in so 
harmonious a manner as to produce a most pleasing 
effect. Neither is this “ sober livery” by any means 
universal among the tribe ; many are decorated with 
the richest colours, displayed in strongly contrasted 
bands and spots, and sometimes glossed with a 
metallic lustre. In the form of caterpillars, too, 
they become objects of the highest interest and 
curiositj’. In that condition they exhibit examples 
of the most laborious industry and of the greatest 
ingenuity, together with a variety in their modes 
of living, and peculiarity of form and appearance, 
scarcely surpassed by any other race of little crea- 
tures. Then also they afford those 
millions of spinning worms 
That in their greeii shops weave the smooth-hair’d silk ; 
tltus adding to the other considerations recommend- 
