THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 155 



It is owing to the imperfection of their protection that insects are, as a 

 whole, kept under and -an undue multiplication prevented. But there is, 

 probably, an effort in these directions to be noted and brought out in the 

 life history of all insects. Darwin's law of Natural Selection tends to bring 

 out these characters more strongly by its effect of preserving the best pro- 

 tected kinds. I have noted how the species of Catocala, so numerous 

 with us, are preserved ; the larvae, by their resemblance to twigs, the 

 moths, from their upper wings, during the day and in repose, correspond- 

 ing in appearance with the trunk and bark of the trees against which they 

 rest. The larvae of burrowing Lepidoptera resemble in their pale and 

 livid colors those of the Coleoptera or burrowing larvae of other Orders of 

 Insects. The larvae of Hymenoptera, which are external feeders, resemble 

 the external feeding Lepidoptera in their greenish tints. There is then a 

 correlation between habit and color. The larvae of cut-worms (Agrotis) 

 resemble the soil in color, where they burrow at the roots of plants. 



In South Carolina I collected a number of specimens of an Orthopter- 

 ous insect, which strikingly resembled the predaceous Cicindelidae. They 

 were active on the leaves of Okra. I regret that the specimens were lost, 

 and I could not determine the species. I have observed that certain 

 smooth Chrysomelidae, living on a species of lily, on the approach of 

 danger folded in the feet and allowed themselves to slide off the leaves, 

 dropping in the herbage beneath where they speedily recovered the use 

 of their legs. The snapping beetles, Elateridce, assume a rigid attitude, 

 the short feet tucked in against the under part of the hard body, and look 

 like bits of dead wood or twigs. By their quiet and protective color they 

 seem to expect that they will escape notice. This and similar actions in 

 other kinds of beetles and insects is called " feigning death " by some 

 writers. In order to " feign death," as the words intend, some knowledge 

 of death as such and its advantages must be supposed. But I cannot 

 think that insects have arrived at any such generalization of ideas. Their 

 actions often incompletely answer to their apparent ends. It is probable 

 to me that their attitudes of repose are assumed from the experience which 

 they have gradually acquired that in a state of quiet they will best avoid 

 the immediate dangers which beset them and which they cannot escape 

 bv flight. A Catocala will rest in quiet for hours, but on the near 

 approach of a disturber will take to very quick and instant flight. Trying 

 to capture a specimen once it thus escaped me, but in its endeavor to 

 avoid Charybdis it fell into Scylla, for a passing swallow devoured it in 

 the air. 



