202 INSECT LIFE 



XIV 



A like migration to a short distance seems to 

 me to have caused the assemblage of Ammophila on 

 the top of Mont Ventoux. I have proved that this 

 insect spends the winter in the perfect state, shelter- 

 ing somewhere and awaiting April to build its nest. 

 Like the lark it must take precautions against the 

 cold season ; though capable of fasting till flowers 

 return, the chilly thing must find protection against 

 the deadly attacks of the cold. It must flee snowy 

 districts, where the soil is deeply frozen, and, gather- 

 ing in troops like migrant birds, cross hill and dale 

 to seek a home in old walls and banks warmed by 

 a southern sun. When the cold is gone, all or part 

 of the band will return whence they came. This 

 would explain the assemblage on Mont Ventoux. 

 It was a migrant tribe, which, on its way from the 

 cold land of the Drome to descend into the warm 

 plains of the olive, had to cross the deep, wide valley 

 of the Toulourenc, and, surprised by the rain, halted 

 on the mountain top. Apparently A. hirsuta has 

 to migrate to escape winter cold. When the small 

 migratory birds set out in flocks, it too must journey 

 from a cold district to a neighbouring one which 

 is warmer. Some valleys crossed, some mountains 

 overpassed, and it finds the climate sought. 



I have two other instances of extraordinary insect 

 gatherings at great heights. I have seen the chapel 

 on Mont Ventoux covered with seven-spotted lady- 

 birds, as they are popularly called. These insects 

 clung to the stone of walls and pavement so close 

 together that the rude building looked, at a few 

 paces off, like an object made of coral beads. I 

 should not dare to say how many myriads were 



