1 24 INTRODUCTION TO ZOOLOGY. 



siugular circumstance, and one that shows how infinite is the 

 wisdom with which all these things are ordered, that the 

 aphides become torpid, and remain so during the winter, at 

 the same degree of cold that induces torpidity in the ants 

 themselves. 



The fact, now ascertained, that our ants pass the winter in 

 a torpid state, is contrary to popular belief. The prevailing 

 notion is, that during the summer and autumn, they sedulously 

 lay up a stock of provision for the winter, one end of each 

 grain being carefully bitten off, in order to prevent gennination. 

 This idea, cuiTent but erroneous, is embodied in the following 

 extract from Prior: — 



-" Tell me, why the ant, 



In summer's plenty, thiiiks of 'winter's vrant? 

 By constant journey, careful to prepare 

 Her stores, and bringing home the corny ears — 

 By what instruction does she bite the grain? 

 Lest, hid in earth, and caking root again, 

 It might elude the foresight of her care." 



In this, and many other examples which might be quoted, 

 the poet gives utterance to the fallacious but prevailing opinion 

 of his time. The error, in this instance, had probably arisen 

 from the ants having been observed carrying their young 

 about in the state of pups, at which time, both in size and 

 shape, they bear some resemblance to a grain of corn ; and it 

 would receive confirmation from their being occasionally seen 

 gnawing at the end of one of these little oblong bodies — not 

 to extract the substance of the grain, or to prevent its future 

 germination, but in reality to liberate the enclosed msect from 

 its confinement. 



The fact that no European species of Ant stores up grain, 

 no way affects the lesson which Solomon so beautifully incul- 

 cates: — "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways 

 and be wise ; which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, pro- 

 videth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the 

 harvest."* Even if the insect did not collect a supply of food 

 for future use, we might all, with great advantage, " consider 

 her ways and be wise." But it is more than probable that 

 Solomon referred to species living in a warmer climate, and, 



• Proverbs, chap. iv. ver. 6, 7. 



