462 HYBERl^ATION OP INSECTSi 



indeed, the hybernacula of insects were simply the im- 

 derside of any dead leaf, clod, or stonej that chanced 

 to be in the neighbourhood of their abode, it might 

 still be contended, tliat such situations were alwat/s re- 

 sorted to by them on tlie occurrence of a certain de- 

 o-ree of cold, but tiiat they remained in them only 

 when its continuance had induced torpidity : and it 

 seems to have been in this view that most reasoners 

 on this subject have regarded the hybernation of the 

 larger animals, to which they have exclusively directed 

 their attention. But had they been acquainted (as sure- 

 ly the investigators of such a question ought to have 

 been) with the economy of the class of insects, in whicli 

 not merely a few species, as among quadrupeds, but 

 ninetv-nine hundredths of the whole, in our climates, 

 hybernate, they would have known that tlieir hyber- 

 nacula are in general totally distinct from their ordi- 

 nary retreats in casual cold weather; and that many 

 of them even fabricate habitations requiring consider- 

 a])le time and labour, expressly for the purpose of 

 tireir winter residence — which last fact in particular, 

 on their theory, admits of no satisfactory explanation. 

 We may say, and truly, that the sensation of fatigue 

 causes man to lie down and sleep; but wc should 

 laugh at any one who contended tliat this sensation 

 forced him first to make a four-post bedstead to repose 

 UBon. 



In the second place, if we grant for a moment tlrat 

 it is cold which drives insects to their hybernacula, 

 there are other phenomena attending the state of hy- 

 bernation which on this supposition are inexplicable. 

 If cold led iiisecls to enter their winter quarters, then 



