THE PAST YEAR. 289 
Speaking of 1860 the Rev. O. P. Cambridge remarked that 
“moisture is less hurtful to spiders than insects in general.” 
(Zool. 7553). This has again been abundantly proved this year. 
All families of spiders appear to have increased and multiplied 
astonishingly ; one non-entomological acquaintance was quite 
solicitous for their welfare, seeing the paucity of hexapods on 
which they were to prey. 
Such are a few of the entomological experiences of 1879. 
Insect economy is so varied that it is hard to assign even probable 
causes for many of these anomalies; still from such a season 
there is much to be learned. First, however, we must bear 
in mind that by reason of the adverse meteorological conditions 
many species have occurred, though quite unnoticed; absence of 
sun and presence of rain have been altogether unfavourable for 
their appearance. Last winter was exceptionally severe, but this, 
I believe, was rather favourable to insect preservation than other- 
wise. Severe and continued cold destroys but few species 
directly. To this end we have had many experiments on eggs, 
larve, pupe, and imagos. John Hunter found that although 
insect eggs solidified at 15° Fahr., they were not destroyed. 
Spallanzini is even said to have subjected these eggs to a cold of 
56° below zero, and then found that some hatched. Of larve we 
have numerous instances of their being rendered quite brittle by 
frost and still surviving; indeed it has been recommended that 
certain hybernating larve be kept throughout the winter in an 
ice safe to ensure successful rearing. A modus operandi in which 
is great reason. Pupz also have been repeatedly observed to 
develop successfully after having been frozen to the consistency 
of ice, but on this subject Mr. W. H. Edwards’ somewhat 
imperfect experiments on the effect of cold causing a change in 
form may be referred to (Can. Ent. ix., 208). 
Réaumur’s experiments on the retardation or acceleration of 
metamorphosis are well known. Mr. McCook’s and numerous 
other experiments on bees and ants have proved that hybernating 
imagos readily withstand great cold without any apparent injury. 
From these facts long-continued cold during the period of 
hybernation cannot be said to be injurious to insect life in any 
stage. Sharp winters are preservatives generally; it stays 
spoliation by birds and numerous other enemies. During mild 
winters the underground pupe and hybernating larvee are easily 
2P 
