DEATH'S-HEAD MOTH, .Acherontia atropos, a species of Hawk-moth (q.v.), or lepi• dopterous insect of the family sphingidte, not uncommon in some parts of England and of the continent of Europe, and very widely distributed over the world, being found in Africa, the Mauritius, and the East Indies. It measures almost 5 in. from tip to tip of the extended wings; is of a dark color, the body yellow with black markings, the thorax with pale markings which have some resemblance to a skull, and from which it derives its name; the upper wings mottled with brown, black, and yellow. The caterpillar is greenish-yellow, the back speckled with black, with transverse lines partly blue and partly white; and in countries where the potato is cultivated, is often to be found feed• ing on the leaves of that plant. This insect is most frequently seen flying about in autumn, and only in the mornings and evenings. It is remarkable for emitting a plain tive squeaking sound, which, with its dark color, and the skull-like mark on the thorax, has led to its being regarded with superstitious dislike, the sudden appearance of large numbers being popularly held ominous of evil; whilst, in the Mauritius, a notion pre vails that it casts a dust from its wings which produces blindness in persons on whom it falls, and its entering an apartment is therefore regarded with dread. How the noise
which it emits is produced, is not satisfactorily known. If the insect is taken and con fined in the hand, this sound is sent forth sharply and strongly. The D. II. M. is inter esting upon still another account, as one of those insects which enter and plunder bee hives, feeding upon the honey; and although apparently quite defenseless, it enjoys perfect impunity whilst ravaging the stores of creatures so well provided with formi dable weapons, and generally so ready to use them against an intruder. No explana tion of this fact has yet been found.