LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
247 
abundant nectar. Two species of large size and 
unusual beauty have just occurred to me. One is 
the Green-clouded Hawk {Spfdnx satelUtia)^ a 
species which closely resembles the Oleander Hawk 
of Europe {8. nerii)^ being variously clouded and 
blotched with dark green, on a pale ground, the 
colours blended with the beautiful softness so cha- 
racteristic of this tribe of moths. As it is not 
figured by Abbott^ it is probably a rare insect. 
The other species is even more beautifub the 
colours having the definiteness and vividness of 
those which we look for in the butterflies. The 
ground-colour is drab or pale buff on the body and 
front wings, marked in a symmetrical manner with 
black ; the hind wings are clouded with green, 
crimson, and black in a charming manner. This is 
called, by Abbott, the Painted Hawk {Sphinx 
vitis)] the caterpillar, which is varied with green, 
red, and white, and marked with black lines, is said 
to feed on the leaves of the vine and the magnolia. 
In the hottest part of the day, beneath the beams 
of the almost vertical sun, I occasionally find 
running along the dusty road, or the parched paths 
of the wastes, insects of the genus MitUlla. They 
resemble large wasps deprived of wings, at least in 
the female sex, whichmore commonly occurs. Their 
prevailing colours are black and red, disposed in 
alternate bands ; in one species (ilf. coccinea) these 
are peculiarly bright, the red being a vivid scarlet, 
and both colours having a satin-like lustre : other 
kinds are duller. The apterous female has a project- 
ing sting, and is highly venomous ; cattle are said 
sometimes to die from being stung by these insects, 
probably in lying down on them ; they are there- 
fore much dreaded. I have taken on one occasion 
