MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 



213 



the prey of their enemies when they are reposing, conceal 

 themselves in flowers. The male of a little bee (Heriades 1 

 Campanularum), a trne Sybarite, dozes voluptuously in the 

 bells of the different species of Campanula — in which, 

 indeed, I have often found other kinds asleep. Linne named 

 another species Jlorisomnis on account of a similar propensity. 

 A third, a most curious and rare species (Andrena 1 spinigera), 

 shelters itself when sleeping, at least I once found it there so 

 circumstanced, in the nest-like umbel of the wild carrot. 

 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. Linne informs us that a little bee (Epeolus 3 

 variegatus) passes the night thus suspended to the beak of 

 the flowers of Geranium phceum : and I once found one of 

 the vespiform bees {Nomada 4 Goodeniana) 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 assailants. But even here they are taught to conceal 

 themselves from their enemies by various and singular 

 contrivances. Some seek for safety by burying themselves, 

 previously to the assumption of the pupa, at a considerable 

 depth under the earth ; others bore into the heart of trees, or 

 into pieces of timber; some take their residence in the hollow 

 stalks of plants : and many are concealed under leaves, or 

 suspend themselves in dark places, where they cannot readily 



1 Apis. * *. c. 2. y. K. 

 3 Apis. * *. b. K. 



2 Melitta. * *. c. K. 

 4 Apis. b. * K. 



