62 INTRODUCTION. 
China (sometimes measuring nearly a foot between 
the tips of the expanded wings) and the Great Owl 
]Moth of Brazil, even further surpass the dimensions 
of our largest indigenous species, than the Orni- 
thopteri do any of our day-fly tribes. Indeed, the 
two insects named must be regarded as the largest 
Lepidoptera known, and tnere are not a few others 
which make a pretty near approach to them in this 
respect. Some of those which indicate by their 
structure some relationship to the Sphinges and 
Hesperian butterflies, are ornamented with very 
brilliant colours ; but in general the same subdued 
and occasionally sombre tints prevail, which we 
witness among our native moths. Great diversity 
of form and appearance may be expected among a 
race of insects of such extent and varied economy : 
it is strikingly observable in the perfect insects, but 
the caterpillars vary in form, colours, clothing, and 
appendages almost without end. 
It is a subject of regret that our acquaintance 
with the caterpillars of exotic moths is still so 
limited, although it is not difficult to account for 
the fact. It is by no means an easy matter to pre- 
serve them, at least in such a way as to retain their 
forms and colours in any degree of perfection. The 
greater number of individuals who take an interest 
in the subject are, moreover, only casual visitors to 
the countries where they make their collections, and 
they have neither time nor opportunity to rear the 
caterpillars till they disclose their moths ; and unless 
this step be taken, the possession of the former is of 
