. The transformations (or metamorphoses) of insects. Insects; Insects; Myriapoda; Arachnida; Crustacea. 98 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. are large creatures, which, when quiet, often put on a very curious attitude. Being well and safely fixed on a twig or leaf by their membranous or hind feet, they lift up the front of their bodies, and bend the head, which is buried in the first segment; they then remain perfectly motionless for hours. This attitude—which is represented in the engraving of the Euphorbia sphinx—has excited much attention, and entomologists, whose imaginations are always vivid, a
. The transformations (or metamorphoses) of insects. Insects; Insects; Myriapoda; Arachnida; Crustacea. 98 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. are large creatures, which, when quiet, often put on a very curious attitude. Being well and safely fixed on a twig or leaf by their membranous or hind feet, they lift up the front of their bodies, and bend the head, which is buried in the first segment; they then remain perfectly motionless for hours. This attitude—which is represented in the engraving of the Euphorbia sphinx—has excited much attention, and entomologists, whose imaginations are always vivid, and sometimes classical, have had no difficulty in investing. LARVA OF THE DEATH'S HEAD SPHINX MOTH. this larva witb the majesty of the Egyptian sphinx. Indeed, one of these stolid larvse has sufficed to bring up the memories of Thebes and of the great enigma before the enthusiastic naturalist. The name has become popular, and there is really something enigmatical in the queer posture. Why should the larva imitate the sphin?^, which it never saw } The answer may be common- place, but nevertheless true; it remains thus motionless to prevent itself being gobbled up by birds or attacked by ichneumon flies, which are on the look-out for everything that Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Duncan, P. Martin (Peter Martin), 1821-1891; Blanchard, Émile, 1819-1900. Metamorphoses . .. des insects. London and New York, Cassell, Petter, and Galpin
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjec, booksubjectcrustacea
