106 ETON NATURE-STUDY 



the soil, plants often increase their numbers vegetatively, and without 

 the intervention of seeds. Structures with similar purposes produced 

 above ground, like the buds that drop from the lilies, and are not 

 hidden, have a meaning which is not at first evident, and are 

 excellent examples of sleeping plants. 



HIBERNATING ANIMALS 



Not only may we satisfy the hunting instinct which still exists in 

 most of us, by seeking for the places in which various animals have 

 made their winter quarters, but we may also, a little earlier in the 

 year, see the preparations which they make for their long sleep. 



Incidentally we shall learn those species among insects for in- 

 stance, which survive the cold season, and further, whether all in- 

 dividuals have the strength to do so or only the favoured females. 



Certain butterflies which from time to time are thought to have 

 left their chrysalides very early, pass the winter in some dry 

 corner, and their very appearance, worn and weather-stained as it 

 is, should tell their story. 



" Queen " wasps are to be found in such places as under the bark 

 of a dead tree, waiting until it is time to found a new colony in the 

 Spring. The following observations * on the hybernation of the 

 humble-bee made by Mr W. J. Webb, will suggest the kind of work 

 that may be done. 



It would appear that the bees make early preparations, for in the 

 middle of August holes were noticed in a mossy bank on a lawn 

 which sloped to near the north and was shaded by trees. " The 

 excavations," Mr W. J. Webb says, " I at first took to be the work 

 of ' dumble-dor ' beetles. Some of the holes were half dug, others 



*From a manuscript note-book, kept in the Isle of Wight (1854-1855). 



