232 MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSERTS. 



mass of ice : and Reaumur relates many similar in- 

 stances ''. 



The last passive means of defence that I mentioned, 

 was the ?//?;////j//rr/</on of insects. Some species, the Aphi- 

 des for instance, and the Grasshoppers and Locusts, have 

 such an inHnite host of enemies, that were it not for their 

 numbers the race would soon be annihihited. — But as 

 passive means of defence have detained us sufficiently 

 long, it is enough to have touched upon this head. Let 

 us then now proceed to such as may be called active ; in 

 which the volition of the animal bears some part. 



II. The active means of defence, which tend to se- 

 cure insects from injury or attack, are much more nu- 

 merous and diversified than the passive ; and also more 

 interesting, since they depend, more or less, uponthe 

 efforts and industry of these creatures themselves. 

 When urged by danger, they endeavour to repel it 

 either by having recourse to certain attitudes or mo- 

 tions ; producing particular noises ; emitting disagree- 

 able scents or fluids ; employing their limbs ; or wea- 

 pons, and valour ; concealing themselves in various 

 ways ; or by counteracting the designs and attack of 

 their enemies by contrivances that require ingenuity 

 and skill. 



The attitudes which insects assume for this purpose 

 are various. Some are purely imitative, as in many 

 instances detailed above. I possess a diminutive rove- 

 beetle {Aleochara conip/icans, K. Ms.), to which my 

 attention was attracted as a very minute, shining, round, 

 black pebble. This successful imitation was produced 

 ^ De Gecr, vi. 355 ; comp. 320, and Rcaum. ii. 141-147, 



