IIVDERNATIOX of INSECTSi 445 



torpidity. In fact, there are some, tliouoli but iew, 

 which cannot, at least in our climate, strictly be said to 

 hybernate, understanding- by that term passing the win-* 

 ter in one selected situation in a greater or less degree 

 of torpor, without food. Not to mention Phalofna 

 G. brumata, and some other moths, which are disclosed 

 from the pupae in the middle of winter, and can there- 

 fore be scarcely regarded as exceptions to the rule^ 

 some insects' are torpid only in very severe weather, 

 and on fine mild days in winter come out to eat. This 

 is the case with the larva of Nociua fu'iginosa^ L.'*; 

 and Lyonet asserts that there are many other cater- 

 pillars which eat and grow e.ven in the midst of slight 

 frost''. Among'st perfect insects, troops of Trichocera 

 hienialis, the gnat whose choral dances have been before 

 described'^, niay be constantly seen gamboling in the air 

 in the depth of winter when it is mild and calm, accom- 

 panied by the little Psi/choda, so confmon in v, indows^, 

 several J}J/iscicke, spiders, and occasionally some Apho- 

 dii and Slaphj/linidcc : and the societies of ants, as well 

 as their attendant Aphides, are in motion and take 

 more or less food during the whole of that season when 

 the cold is not intense. The younger Huber informs 

 us that ants become torpid only at 2° Reaum. below 

 freezing (27° Fahrenheit), and apparently endeavour 

 to preserve themselves from the cold, when its ap- 

 proach is gradual, by clustering together. When the 

 temperature is above this point they follow their ordi- 

 dary habits (he has seen them even walk upon the 

 snow), and can then obtain the little food which they 

 require in winter froiii tlieir cows the Aphides, which, 

 * Bralim, Ins. Kal. ii. 31. " Lesser, I, i. ^55. "^ Sec above, p. 4. 372. 



