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AND THEIR TRANSFORMATIONS. 1] 
Réaumur was at once disproved by unrolling the maxille, and holding the palpi apart with a pin ; yet the noise 
was still produced—so also by strongly compressing the rogt of the proboscis with pliers, so as to prevent the 
passage of air, the opinion of M. Passerini was shown to be untenable. Again, by holding the wings 
close to the body, and preventing their action upon the frontal scales, the suggestion of M. de Johet is 
disproved, because at such time the insect cries loudest ; the scales remaining perfectly motionless at the time. 
The observations of Messrs. Lorey and Goureau are in like manner disproved by the action of the apparatus at 
the base of the abdomen not being always accompanied by the cry ; moreover both sexes produce the sound ; 
whereas the apparatus in question only exists in the male—and not only in this, but in other species of Sphingide 
which are mute. Ona subsequent occasion M. Duponchel jun. was led to believe that the sound was caused by 
the friction of the prothorax against the mesothorax ; and M. Goureau, (Annales, 1838,) that it was by the air 
passing through the prothoracic spiracles, which are large, and placed on a small protuberance. The last- 
mentioned author (who has published an elaborate memoir on the sounds of insects) has still more recently 
(Annales, 1840) suggested that the ery of this insect is analogous to that made by the Hymenoptera and Diptera, 
which he terms “ piaulement,” caused by the vibrations of the thorax put in motion by its strong muscles, and 
which gives an impulse to the wings, when their action is complete ; and that it is moreover probable that the 
action of the scales upon the mesothorax contributes to the noise which (unlike that of the Orthoptera and 
Cicada, but like that of certain Hymenoptera) consists of a union of two sounds, one acute, produced by the 
vibration of the thoracic segments, and the other by the action of the scales in the mesothorax. This 
suggestion may be easily verified by those who have an epportunity, by holding the insect carefully in the 
fingers so as to perceive whether there be any decided motion altering according to the strength of the cry. 
Considering that the insect has now become by no means uncommon in this country, it is not very creditable 
to our English collectors that no one among them has attempted the solution of the question. The only original 
observation made upon the subject in this country is one Iam now enabled to publish, upon the authority 
of Mr. Raddon, namely, that the insect is able to produce the sound before quitting the pupa case. 
Another peculiarity connected with the history of this moth consists in its attacking bee-hives, ravaging the 
honey, and dispersing the inhabitants. It is singular that a creature with only the advantage of size should dare, 
without sting or shield, singly, to attack in their strongholds these well-armed and numerous people ; and still 
more singular, that amongst so many thousands of bees it should always contend victoriously. Huber, who first 
also exercise a secret influence 

noticed the fact, asks, ‘ May not this moth—the dread of superstitious people 
over insects, and have the faculty, either by sound or some other means, of paralysing their courage? May not 
such sounds as inspire the vulgar with dread be also the dread of bees?” He also states that he was witness to 
the curious fact that some bees, as if expecting their enemy, had barricaded themselves by means of a thick wall 
of propolis and wax, completely obstructing the entrance of the hive, but penetrated by passages for one or two 
workers ai a time ; thus instructing us, that at the period when the moth appears, when also wasps and robber 
bees attack the hive, it is advantageous to narrow the entrances to it so as to prevent the depredations of these 
obnoxious insects. 
The species appears to be distributed over the greater part of England and Scotland, and many specimens are 
annually obtained by labourers when employed in getting up potatoes: this is a better plan of procuring specimens 
than by feeding the caterpillars, because, although they thrive well and change to chrysalides, it is difficult to 
c 2 
oom! 

