SPHINX. 
455 
Genus II. — Sphinx, 
T his tribe contains all tbofe infects which hold an inter- 
mediate ftation, between the butterflies and moths. Their 
antennae are of a prifmatic form, thicker in the middle 
than at the extremity ; their wings fold down over the 
back when at reft ; when on the wing their motions are 
flow and heavy. The moths, or phalasnae are nocturnal 
infects. The butterfly makes its appearance in the open 
day; while the excurfions of the fphinx are chiefly in the 
twilight of morning and evening *, 
The infedts belonging to this genus, though far lefs 
numerous in their varieties, prefent not uniformly the 
fame characters to the obferver ; fotne have angulated 
wings ; in others, the wings are entire ; fome are known 
by a barb, or tuft of hair growing from the anus ; 
■vvhiile many are diftinguiflied by other differences in their 
^sternal appearance, both in the larvae and winged ftate. 
i'hefe laft, I.innteus has termed adfeitee , as if brought in- 
to the family by a fort of adoption, and thus diftinguifh- 
e d from the legitimate fphinxes. 
The name of fphinx has been given to the infects of 
this genus from the Angular attitude in which they are 
°ften feen in their caterpillar ftate ; the hinder part o 
the body is then feen attached to the branch of a tree, 
whilp 
* Syftema Natural, Ord. III. gen a. 
