52 
INTRODUCTION. 
The number of these insects found in Britain is 
not inconsiderable, and includes all the kinds in- 
digenous to Europe, except a few species. Several 
conspicuous kinds have been admitted into our 
native lists, in consequence of the occurrence of one 
or two examples ; but from what we know of their 
histoiy and geographical distribution, it seems more 
proper to ascribe their appearance in this country 
to fortuitous causes, — such as accidental importation 
along with foreign productions, than to their being 
aboriginal natives of the soil. Such seems to be the 
case with Sphinx Carolina, S-maculatm, Daucus, 
and Drurwi, some of which, when caterpillars, feed 
on exotic plants for which the vegetation of thb 
country can scarcely be supposed to afford any ade- 
quate substitute. But on this subject it is difficult 
to speak decisively, as many species Avhich were 
once thought to be exclusively confined to one kind 
of plant have been found to subsist readily on others, 
Avhen their ordinary pabulum was not to be pro- 
cured. Deil^hila nerii, for example, has occurred 
in the larva state in Britain, and is fi'equent in 
certain years in the north of Germany and other 
parts of the continent, where the tender slrrub from 
Avhich it derives its name (the nerium oleander ), 
and AA'hich was thought to be its only food, does not 
grow spontaneously, and could therefore seldom if 
at all be obtained. 
The caterpillars of the typical sphinxes are of 
large size, ornamented ivith fine colours, and pos- 
sessed of as distinctive characters as the perfect 
