The caterpillar of this sphinx (Fig. 187) is of a dark brown, delicately striped with black. Two grey lines run down each side of its body, and on the fourth and fifth segments are two black eyes bordered by light violet. This caterpillar is found most often on certain kinds of _Epilobium_, but will also eat of the vine, fuchsia, and bed-straw. It must be sought in damp places, by streams and ponds, from the end of July till September. It constructs on the surface of the soil a shapeless cocoon with moss and dry leaves, which it fastens together with some silky threads. Its pupa (Fig. 188), of a yellowish brown, has short bristles on the rings of the abdomen. The caterpillar possesses in the highest degree the retractile power which has gained for certain species of this genus their popular names. The Privet Sphinx (_Sphinx ligustri_, Fig. 189) has its upper wings rather narrow, about two inches long, of a reddish grey, and veined with black above, with the middle of a dark brown, the inner margin with rose-coloured hairs, and the hind margin having two whitish flexuous lines running along it. The hind wings are of a rose tint, with three black bands. The wings are of a reddish grey below with a common black band. The abdomen has black and rose-coloured rings above, and in the middle a brownish band wholly divided by a black line. [Illustration: Fig. 187.--Larva of Deilephila (Chærocampa) elpenor.] [Illustration: Fig. 188.--Pupa of Deilephila (Chærocampa) elpenor.] [Illustration: Fig. 189.--Privet Hawk-Moth (_Sphinx ligustri_).] This species is very common in all parts of Europe. One finds it in gardens from June to September. Of all the caterpillars of the genus _Sphinx_, this is the one which, by its attitude when in a state of repose, most resembles the sphinx of fable, from which the genus has derived its name. It is of fine apple green, with seven oblique stripes, half violet and half white, placed on each side of its body, and three or four small white spots beyond these stripes. The stigmata are orange, the head is green, bordered with black. The extremity of the body is surrounded by a smooth horn, black above, yellow below (Fig. 190). This beautiful caterpillar is not rare. It lives on a great number of trees and shrubs, but it is principally on the privet, the lilac, and the ash tree, that it must be looked for. Three or four days before it buries itself in the earth to change itself into a chrysalis, its beautiful colours grow dim. During the month of June and September is found the Convolvulus Sphinx (_Sphinx convolvuli_, Fig. 192), with brown wings, and with the abdomen striped with transverse bands alternately black and red. The caterpillar of this species, which presents a great number of varieties, lives on many kinds of _Convolvuli_, but particularly on the field species. It is generally rare here, but occasionally abundant. [Illustration: Fig. 190.--Larva of the Privet Hawk-Moth (_Sphinx ligustri_).]