2i8 ANIMAL LIFE 



they rise in the scale of insect-life the more, rather 

 than less, sensitive do they become. A frost that 

 kills bees like flies passes lightly over the spring- 

 tail, safe in the close embrace of his warm, ancient 

 earth. Against the onset and rigour of the cold 

 insects have no protection, save to bury themselves 

 in the ground. From the parching influence of con- 

 tinued dry heat they have also few means of escape, 

 so that in tropical and temperate climates there is a 

 period when insect life is partially exterminated. 

 But with the next rains or the coming of spring the 

 hospitable period ensues when sap, pollen, honey, 

 and juicy leaves provide a feast. Hence for insects 

 to pass, even in a winter sleep, through the lean period 

 so as to reach the fat season, is a consideration of 

 supreme importance ; and to utilise the new growth 

 for the development of as many fresh broods as the 

 summer permits, is of hardly less pressing import- 

 ance. It is this oscillation from plenty to poverty 

 which drives insects to such multitudinous devices, 

 and maintains in their advanced sections of society 

 such a high degree and standard of activity devoted 

 to racial ends. 



We may commence the cycle at the season of spring. 

 From crannies and underground hiding-places there 

 emerges a remnant of the summer's host ; a few 

 butterflies have survived the winter in barns and 

 lofts ; caterpillars have hibernated in moss, that 

 resort of the frost-hunted ; many beetles and ants 

 have slept in the ground, a queen bee and queen 



