80 



ological contingency. Others, however, become 

 torpid, lose all sense and motion, and repose in this 

 death-like state during the months of winter. Some 

 insects pass the winter in their perfect state, such as 

 the coccinellidae and curculionidae, others are changed. 

 Several of the coccinellae are solitary during summer, 

 but in winter are found aggregated : though some 

 of them are discovered out of winter quarters, even 

 after the severe weather has set in. 



The following remarks on the phenomenon of insect 

 torpidity are by a most diligent and careful observer. * 

 " The first cold weather, after insects have entered 

 their winter quarters, produces effects upon them 

 similar to those which occur in the dormouse, hedge- 

 hog, and others of the larger animals subject to 

 torpor. At first a partial benumbment takes place; 

 but the insect, if touched, is still capable of moving 

 its organs. But as the cold increases, all the animal 

 functions cease. The insect breathes no longer, and 

 has no need of a supply of air; its nutritive secre- 

 tions cease, and no more is required ; the muscles lose 

 their irritability ; and it has all the external symptoms 

 of death. In this state it continues during the exist- 

 ence of great cold, but the degree of its torpidity 

 varies with the temperature of the atmosphere. The 

 recurrence of a mild day, such as we sometimes have 

 in winter, infuses a partial animation into the stiffened 

 animal : if disturbed, its limbs and antennae resume 

 their power of extension ; and even the faculty of 

 spirting out their defensive fluid is re-acquired by 

 many beetles. But, however mild the atmosphere in 

 winter, the great bulk of hybernating insects, as if 



* Mr. Spence. See " An Introduction to Entomology," &c. 

 8vo. London. 1817. Page 442. vol. ii. 



