HYBERNATION OF INSECTS. 459 



we may rest assured, to such a deceptious guide that the 

 Creator has intrusted the safety of so important a part 

 of his creatures : their destinies are regulated by feelings 

 far less liable to err. 



What, you will ask, is this regulator ? I answer In- 

 stinct that faculty to which so many other of the equally 

 surprising actions of insects are to be referred; and 

 which alone can adequately account for the phenomena 

 to be explained. Why, indeed, should we think it ne- 

 cessary to go further ? We are content to refer to in- 

 stinct, the retirement of insects into the earth previously 

 to becoming pupae, and the cocoons which they then 

 fabricate; and why should we not attribute to the same 

 energy, their retreat into appropriate hybernacula, and 

 the construction by many species of habitations ex- 

 pressly destined for their winter residence ! The cases 

 are exactly analogous ; and the insect knows no more 

 that its hybernaculum is to protect it from too severe a 

 degree of cold during winter, than does the full-fed 

 caterpillar when it enters the earth that it shall emerge 

 a glorious butterfly. 



I am, &c. 



