PROCEEDINGS. Ii)17 15 



Now let me describe nature's winter barometer — Boreus. When 

 the temperature is 30 degrees or over they may be seen hopping over 

 the snow, and if there is a snowstorm pending they will be observed in 

 greater numbers. A heavy snowstorm starts, then they may be observed 

 jumping from point to point in an endeavour to maintain themselves at 

 the highest level. They do not get snowed under, but keep out on top 

 as long as the temperature does not fall below 28 degrees. 



As I previously stated, the temperature fell on December 26th to 

 below zero. This was followed by a fall of 26 inches of snow and con- 

 tinuous cold for a fortnight, when the temperature again rose to 34 

 degrees. Within three days Boreus was again to be seen on the surface. 



On February 1st a heavy snowstorm started, when 26 inches of 

 snow fell in the course of 36 hours, and as the temperature was low, 

 all insect life was dormant and consequently was buried under this 

 depth of snow. No larvae were seen after this fall, but within three 

 days Boreus was again out on the surface. In this way they follow up 

 the various snowfalls, always keeping as near the surface as the tem- 

 perature will permit. 



Boreus also seems to avoid the extreme heat of the bright March 

 sun. When the sun is shining they may be observed buried under a 

 thin coating of the surface ice for protection against the heat. None 

 will be visible on the surface except on cloudy days, or where there is 

 some shade. 



The summary of results is that they do come up through the snow, 

 but they do it gradually, following up each fall as it occurs. It is 

 probable that some of the noctuid larvae also pass the winter in a much 

 similar manner but, as I have stated before, none have been seen since 

 the heavy snow of December 26th. 



How the spiders manage to exist I am not prepared to offer any 

 suggestion, but from the fact that they may be observed on the surface 

 of the snow when the weather is mild seems to offer the suggestion 

 that their habits may be similar to the Boreus, or they may attach them- 

 selves to a tree or other similar resting place, a condition which does 

 seem applicable to the other two insects mentioned, as the majority of 

 those observed have been on or near the roads or on cleared land where 

 there is no vegetation near, and their slow progression dispells the 

 supposition that they have travelled any considerable distance during 

 the time that the climatic conditions were sufficiently favourable for 

 them to move about. 



.\t the last annual meeting mention was made of another snow 

 insect that I had discovered that was active when the temperature was 

 25 degrees Ft. I was fortunate in securing another of these this winter, 

 which I found actively walking on the snow, the temperature being at 

 the time 29 .degrees Ft. As it was taken close to the house, I was able 

 to compare the temperature at once. This makes this a positively 

 reliable record. 



