572 PHYSIOLOGY. 



Also Nitidida, Engis, Allecula, and the Securipalpa. Also the smaller 

 Carabodea, as Lebia and Dromius, and many others. Some Hymenoptera 

 also, as the Ichneumons and Diptera, we likewise find in such situations. 

 Others, as the Harpali, Amarce, and Feronia, prefer lying beneath 

 stone, generally in small holes, chiefly with their backs turned down- 

 wards, clinging to the stones with their legs. Others, again, at the foot 

 of trees, in woods, amongst the moss, sometimes in holes prepared for 

 the purpose, like the large Carabi, the Elaters, the Silphce, &c. We 

 in general find them alone in such situations, but sometimes they lie 

 in multitudes collected together, as Bravhinus crepilans, and other 

 Carabodea. Between leaves the Curculios delight, and we find the 

 Staphylini under grass. Some Lepidoptera also hybernate at suitable 

 places in granaries, &c., as Vanessa Urticce, O., V. Polychloros, 

 V. Cardui, V. lo, also Colias Rkamni, and many Noctuce. These, 

 therefore, appear very early in the year, as soon as they are aroused by 

 the warm sunshine. All, especially those which creep beneath bark, 

 are said to place themselves on the south side, and never, or very seldom, 

 on the north. Whilst remaining in these hiding-places, they are 

 generally, unless excessive cold intervenes, pretty lively, and they are 

 even lured during warm days to quit their retreats, as for instance, the 

 Carabi, Aphodii, and Staphylini, which then, even in winter, are seen 

 swarming upon the snow. At what degree of cold torpidity is produced 

 cannot be easily determined, and it also differs considerably in different 

 insects. According to Huber, the ants become torpid at 2 Reaum., 

 and previously lay themselves as closely as possible together : this may 

 happen also earlier or later. In others, its degree also is very different, 

 according to the temperature. That such a torpid state is actually 

 found in insects, we may easily convince ourselves by seeking them in 

 their hiding places, and bringing them by degrees into a warmer tem- 

 perature, when we see them gradually arouse themselves and become 

 active. The flies also, which give us their society even during the 

 winter in our apartments, are active near the fire-place, whereas at the 

 windows they appear weak and inert. 



Some few insects do not appear to become torpid, but even in winter 

 present themselves. This is well known of Geometra (Acidalia) bru- 

 mata, which appears towards the end of the autumn, and flies about in 

 orchards, to which, as larva, it is very injurious, until late in the winter. 

 Others become torpid on cold days, but present themselves on mild ones, 

 and again gnaw the buds, as the caterpillar of Nociua fuliglnosa. This 



