Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/66

62 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 Ornithopteri do any of our day-fly tribes. Indeed, the two insects named must be regarded as the largest Lepidoptera known, and there 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 preserve 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