244 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF ANIMALS. CHAP. VIII. 



stones when dropped into a glass, but which have yet 

 recovered to life and vigour, t It is unfortunate that 

 he has not left us a sufficient clue to discover the par- 

 ticular species in question. 



(26l.) The hybernation of insects, as it has been 

 justly observed, cannot be ascribed altogether to the 

 effect of cold, since it is proved that the period of their 

 seclusion is not regulated by the state of the atmosphere. 

 Insects are uniformly found to retire at a certain period, 

 without any reference to those variations of the climate 

 which would otherwise cause corresponding variations 

 in their disappearance. To what, then is to be attri- 

 buted this apparently wise forethought with which ani- 

 mals prepare for a season, the rigours of which they are 

 neither formed to endure, nor have had any experience 

 of? Most assuredly, to that same instinct which ac- 

 counts for so much in their habits and economy other- 

 wise inexplicable to us. It is clearly impossible that 

 this apparent forethought can be anything else but in- 

 bred instinct, of which they know neither the cause nor 

 the effect; because they have had no experience to 

 guide them, or to show them the necessity of the pre- 

 parations they thus make. Reflection and forethought 

 cannot be employed upon things or events which are 

 totally unknown. Neither can it be put down to the 

 force of example or imitation, as may be urged in the 

 case of swallows, or other animals, which migrate, or 

 perform certain acts in society. Nearly all insects select 

 their winter quarters singly; and this, not until they are 

 compelled by cold, as Kirby and Spence justly observe, 

 but at certain periods, uninfluenced, as far as we know, 

 by any change of the atmosphere. The hybernation of 

 insects, in short, is one of the best proofs that animals 

 do not enjoy reason, and of the real difference between 

 that faculty and instinct, that can possibly be adduced. 



(262.) The MIGRATION of animals, and the sociability 

 with which it is generally accompanied, is one of the 

 most interesting subjects in the economy of nature. It 

 might, indeed, have been treated of, under the following 



