o HIBERNATION OF LADY- BIRDS. 



It is mostly in cold weather that Lady-birds love (like the 

 rest of us) to creep into snug corners, and then, also, either 

 for the sake of warmth or company they display social pro- 

 pensities not observable amongst their tribe in summer. It is 

 true that in sunshine and the milder seasons, when they most 

 abound, they are often to be seen by scores in company ; but 

 on these occasions it is pretty evident that, as with a flock of 

 vultures on a battle-field, where their prey is there (and 

 thereby attracted) they are gathered together. But some other 

 and, probably, more social motive would seem to draw towards 

 one another the congregated Lady -birds which towards and 

 during winter are often found assembled in the same hyberna- 

 culurn, sometimes by twos and threes, but more often in 

 numbers which preclude the supposition of each having made 

 its way by accident to the same cranny. We found last No- 

 vember in a hole of a gate-post no fewer than fifteen of these 

 red-coated comrades laid up, doubtless, for their winter's 

 sleep, to be broken only in open weather by an occasional stroll 

 in search of some of the hardier Aphides which furnish them, 

 between their long abstinences, with no unwelcome meal. 



We know of nothing else remarkable about the Lady-bird, 

 except one personal peculiarity not of the most agreeable sort, 

 with which none who have ever handled this little insect can 

 fail to be acquainted : we mean, of course, that peculiar 

 odour which has led some people to confound it in idea, as 

 well as appellation, with an insect whose very name savours of 



