438 HYBEIINATION OF INSECTS. 



occasionally survive the winter ; but the bulk of these 

 are rarely found to hybernate as perfect insects. Of 

 coleopterous insects, Sclimid, to vvliom we are indebted 

 for some valuable remarks on the present subject % says 

 that he never found, or heard of any entomologist find- 

 ing, a hybernating individual of the common cockchafer 

 {Meloloniha vulgaris), or of the stag-beetle (Lucanus 

 Cervus) ; and suggests that it is only those insects 

 which exist but a short period as larvae, as most of the 

 tribe of CurcuUonidce, Coccinellidce, &c., tiiat survive 

 the winter in the perfect state ; while those which live 

 moi'e than one year in the larva state, as the species 

 just mentioned, are deprived of this privilege. 



Towards the close of autumn the whole insect world, 

 particularly tlie tribe of beetles, is in motion. A ge- 

 neral migration takes place : the various species quit 

 their usual haunts, and betake themselves in search of 

 secure hybernacula. Difterent species, however, do not 

 select precisely the same time for making this change of 

 abode. Thus many Coccinellce, Cimiccs, and MuscidcB 

 are found out of their winter quarters even after the 

 commencement of frost;, while others make good their 

 retreat long before any severe cold has been felt : in 

 fact, I am led to believe, from my own observations, 

 that this is the case with the majority of coleopterous 

 insects ; and that the days which they select for retiring 

 to their hybernacula, are some of the warmest days of 

 autumn, when they may be seen in great numbers 

 alighting on walls, rails, path-ways, &c., and running 

 into crevices and cracks, evidently in search of some 

 object very different from those which ordinarily guide 

 ' illiff. Mag. i. 209-228, 



