146 



DISCOVERY 



Insects 



Amongst insects, the adult forms occasionally 

 hibernate, for instance the common house-fly. The 

 great majority of house-flies die down in the autumn, 

 but a few manage to live over the winter in retired 

 crannies, especially in chinks in the timbers of warm 

 stables, or hidden away in restaurants or kitchens. 

 In the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere 

 the butterfly known as the Painted Lady is the most 

 ubiquitous of its kind. It passes the winter in the 

 adult state. Dr. Sharp tells us : " In the temperate 

 regions of the northern hemisphere Vanessa may be 



Fig. 4.— a, b, c, d, e, A WHEEI<-BE.\RIXG A>;IM.\I„ OR ROTIFER, IN 

 V.\RI0US .STATES OF ACTIVITY : /, IX A STATE OF SUSPENDED 

 ANIMATION. 



Highly magnified. 

 lA/:cr Baker.) 



considered the dominant butterflies, they being very 

 numerous in individuals, though not in species, and 

 being, many of them, in no wise discomfited by the 

 neighbourhood of our own species. Several of them 

 are capable of prolonging and interrupting their lives 

 in the winged condition to suit our climate ; and this 

 in a manner that can scarcely be called hibernation, 

 for they frequently take up the position of repose 

 when the weather is still warm, and on the other hand 

 recommence their activity in the spring at a very 

 early period. This phenomenon may frequently be 

 noticed in the tortoise-shell butterfly ; it is as if the 

 creature knew that, however warm it may be in the 

 autumn, there will be no more growth of food for its 



young, and that in the spring vegetation is sure to be 

 forthcoming. ... It should, however, be recollected 

 that many larvae of butterflies hibernate as young 

 larvje after hatching, and, sometimes, without taking 

 any food.'y As is well known, the activities of the 

 inhabitants of the beehive, although lowered and to 

 some extent in suspense, are still carried on. It is 

 quite different with wasps and bumble-bees. The 

 colony dies down and disappears ; only the queen 

 survives, and this she does in a motionless, inactive 

 condition, hidden away in a crack in a tree or in a 

 ditch. The majority of insects pass through the winter 

 in a pupa or chrysalis stage, hidden away under leaves 

 or buried in the ground. But as pupse are generally 

 inactive and motionless, the hibernation is not a very 

 obvious alteration in their normal habits. Many- 

 beetles and several species of dragon-fly hibernate 

 during the winter in a larval state, and as the former 

 are very often found embedded in burrows in trees 

 they do not require a special winter home. The 

 larvse of the dragon-flies and of the may-flies hide 

 themselves in the side or muddy bottom of their 

 native pools. 



Towards the close of autumn the \\hole insect world 

 in temperate climates is on the move. Like the 

 executive of the Government at Washington during 

 the time of the Presidential Election with the parties 

 changing sides, they are all " making for cover.'" 

 Ladj'-birds, field-bugs, and flies have retired into 

 their winter -quarters well before the first frost has 

 occurred ; very often on the hottest autumn days. 



To those who are on the outlook, the coming together 

 of numerous species of beetle on quiet autumn 

 days is as striking as the assemblage of swallows 

 before they take their autumn flight for sunnier climes. 

 Kirby recalls that whilst " walking on the banks of 

 the Humber on the 14th of October about noon — the 

 day bright, calm, and deliciously mild, Fahrenheit's 

 thermometer 58° in the shade — my attention was 

 first attracted by the pathways swarming with 

 numerous species of rove-beetles [Staphyliniis, Oxytelus, 

 Aleochara, etc.), which kept incessantly alighting, and 

 hurrying about in every direction. On further exami- 

 nation I found a similar assemblage, with the addition 

 of multitudes of other beetles, HalliccB, Nitidula, 

 Rhynchophora, Cryptophagi, etc., on every post and 

 rail in my walk, as well as on a wall in the neighbour- 

 hood ; and on removing the decaying mortar and 

 bark, I found that some had already taken up their 

 abode in holes, from the situation with their antennae 

 folded, evidently meant for winter-quarters." The 

 aphis passes the winter both in the egg and in the 

 perfect state. All these insects fall into a coma. At 

 first they are but partially benumbed, and when 

 touched arc still capable of moving their limbs. Soon, 



