196 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



the insect the state of sleep or torpor in which 

 it is to exist as a pupa of which we shall speak 

 more particularly in our next chapter. Before, 

 although a weak and comparatively a defenceless 

 creature, it was still able to exercise a vigilant 

 watch against its enemies, and thus to avoid them, 

 or to prepare for their reception ; but now, its eyes 

 are to be closed in a death-like slumber ; its body 

 to hang a tempting bait to any wandering foe, or 

 hungry bird, and it can in no way resist the at- 

 tacks of the feeblest adversary. 



As if fully aware of this, the wonderful instinct 

 of the larva meets the difficulty by teaching 

 it to select the best place for its concealment 

 from a dangerous notice. With this view, it 

 sets out in search of a hiding-place, and rests 

 not until it has obtained a city of refuge which 

 may prove to it a defence against the enemy. 

 It may be some little recess, covered by an 

 irregular stone, and sheltered round the sides 

 by moss and the upspringing grass ; or, perhaps, 

 a little hole in the earth has received the poor 

 fugitive from future harm, and in order to conceal 

 itself more completely, it has drawn over the 

 mouth of the cave a covering of leaves. Here, 



