262 MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 
(Apis Campanularum K., Heriades Latr.), a true Sy- 
barite, dozes voluptuously in the bells of the different 
species of Campanula—in which, indeed, I have often 
found other kinds asleep. Linné named another species 
florisomnis on account of a similar propensity. A third, 
a most curious and rare species (Melitta spinigera, K.), 
shelters itself when sleeping, at least I once found it there 
so circumstanced, in the nest-like umbel of the wild car- 
rot. You would think it a most extraordinary freak of 
Nature, should any quadruped sleep suspended by its 
jaws, (some birds however are said, I think, to have such 
a habit, and Sus Babyroussa one something like it, )—yet 
insects do this occasionally. Linné informs us that a lit- 
tle bee (Apis variegata) passes the night thus suspended 
to the beak of the flowers of Geranium pheum : and J once 
found one of the vespiform bees (Apis Goodeniana, K., 
Nomada, ¥.) hanging by its mandibles from the edge of 
a hazel-leaf, apparently asleep, with its limbs relaxed and 
folded. On being disengaged from its situation it became 
perfectly lively. 
There is no period of their existence in which insects 
usually are less able to help themselves, than during 
that intermediate state of repose which precedes their 
coming forth in their perfect forms. I formerly explained 
to you how large a portion of them during this state 
cease to be locomotive, and assume an appearance of 
death*. In this helpless condition, unless Providence 
had furnished them with some means of security, they 
must fall an easy prey to the most insignificant of their 
* Vox. J. 4th Ed. 65— 
