SPHINXES. 
157 
It is grayish or greenish brown in color, crossed by numerous darker 
brown markings. The under side is pink. At the posterior end is an 
eye-like spot or tubercle, making the insect look, as one observer 
worded it, “ as if the worm had a head at each end.” When handled 
the caterpillar twists its body vigorously from side to side, making at 
the same time a squeaking noise. The winter is passed in the chrys¬ 
alis state, a few inches beneath the surface of the ground. 
Amphion nessus. 
A little jewel among the sphinx moths is Ampldon nessus. It 
expands a little over two inches, and the wings are very much scallojied. 
The ground-color of the fore wings and thorax is purplish-brown, the 
wings being crossed by dark velvety brown markings and faint yellow¬ 
ish lines, with a spot of reddish-brown near the tip of the wing. The 
lower wings are margined with a broad band of brown edged with 
yellow, the rest of the wing being reddish-brown. The abdomen is 
dark reddish-brown, lighter on the sides, and is crossed by two conspic¬ 
uous bright yellow bands. The end of the abdomen bears three tufts 
of long dark brown hairs which may be spread or contracted at the 
pleasure of the insect. The white lilac and syringa are favorite flowers. 
Its flight is not so rapid as that of other members of the family, and 
it may be easily taken, even by hand. 
I have never found this insect abundant but have had numerous 
specimens sent me from Ontario, Canada, and also from Virginia. 
The genus Smermthus contains some large and very handsome 
moths. Unlike the species of sphinx moths already described, in this 
genus the tongue is very short, almost wanting in fact, and can be of 
little use to the insect. The fore wings are scalloped on their outer 
