the author of 'Insect Transformations' says he has ascertained it to be "precisely similar to the gluten which envelopes the eggs of most insects."

SEVENTH WEEK-WEDNESDAY.

HYBERNATION OF INSECTS.-VARIOUS STATES.

TURNING from the consideration of insect eggs, let us look to some of the other means which the Creator has employed for preserving these minute animals during the rigorous season of the year. Some assume the chrysalis form, in which state they require no food, and can endure a greater degree of cold than in their more perfect condition, though they are much inferior, in this respect, to the eggs already mentioned. We shall take an example of this method of hybernation from the butterfly family, which is remarkable for the variety of modes by which the Author of Nature has provided for the safety of the different species. The history of the large white butterfly, which we select, is not perhaps so peculiar, among the insect tribes, as it is remarkable. It undergoes a double round of transformations in the course of the year, and its instincts are wonderfully adapted to the state of the season in each. From the chrysalis state, these insects assume that of caterpillars, about the last days of April, or the beginning of the following month. They first appear on wing in the middle of May, and, about the end of the same month, lay their eggs in clusters on the under side of cabbage-leaves. In a few days after, the caterpillars come forth, and continue to feed together till the end of June, when they are at their full growth. They then wander about in search of convenient places to fix themselves, where, after their change, the chrysalis may be sheltered. When such are found, they each fasten their tail by a web, and carry a strong thread of the same

round their body, near the head; and, thus firmly secured, hang a few hours, when the chrysalis becomes perfectly formed, and divested of the caterpillar's skin. In fourteen days after this, the fly is on the wing.* Such is the history of their first series of transformations. But a long period of genial weather still remains, and a new succession of changes takes place. The butterfly lays its eggs, which are again converted into caterpillars, and about the end of September, these caterpillars become chrysalides, in which state they are prepared to pass the winter. Now, however, as if acquainted with the change which Nature is about to undergo, they do not seek for protection beneath the fading vegetation which formed their previous retreat, but may be found hanging under the copings of garden walls, under pales, and in other places, where they can have a tolerable shelter from the inclemency of the weather, and yet be in the neighborhood of their food, when they throw off this state of inactivity on the revival of Nature in spring.

An instance of the hybernation of insects, in the caterpillar state, may be found in another branch of this family, that of the marsh fritillary. These small butterflies, the color of which is a brownish orange, variegated with orange and black, are found in the caterpillar state in the month of September. As the season advances, they spin for themselves a fine web, in which they congregate, and under covert of which they pass the winter. During this time, they are so nearly reduced to a torpid state, as to require no food; nor do they venture out of their covering, till invited by the warmth of spring. They have not yet come to their full size, and their growth is suspended during winter. If we pursue their history a little further, we find that, about the end of April, they are in full maturity, and, suspending themselves by the tail, change into chrysalides. "Their mode of suspension, says Captain Brown, "is a singular instance of the extraordinary power of instinct. They first draw two or three small blades of grass across towards the top, and

* Goldsmith's Animated Nature, Note, vol. iv. p. 297.

fasten them together by means of their silk, then hang themselves beneath the centre of these, each having his own little canopy. By this means, they are not only hidden from the sight of birds, but defended, in a great measure, from the damage they might otherwise sustain from windy and boisterous weather."*

The

In speaking of the hybernation of caterpillars, we must not forget to mention a beneficent provision by which many species are defended from the cold; we allude to the hair which at that season covers their bodies. younger Huber found some larvæ of the smaller species of ants, which spend the winter heaped up in the lowermost floor of their dwelling; and he remarks, that "those which are to pass the winter in this state, are covered with hair, which is not the case in summer, affording another proof of that Providence with which naturalists are struck at every step." Now, the very same thing occurs among various tribes of caterpillars, though it is by no means the case with all insects that pass the winter in this form. Even those which envelope themselves in silken shrouds, have generally this additional protection, of which the caterpillars of the brown-tail moth and mallow butterfly are instances. Some are thickly clothed with hair, a remarkable example of which occurs in the caterpillar of the drinker moth, whose very feet are covered with fine shaggy down. This insect does not become torpid in winter; and, as it feeds on grass, it can always find plenty of food. "When a fine sunny day chances to break in upon the gloom of winter, this pretty insect may be often seen stretched at its full length on a low twig, or the withered stem of a nettle, basking in the sunshine with apparent delight."+

Some insects survive the winter in their perfect state, but these are comparatively few. Several species of the genus Vanessa are of this number; but it is observed by Mr. Rennie, that this can only be positively affirmed of the female. It is certain, however, that, even in this

*Goldsmith's Animated Nature, Note, p. 298. [Both the species mentioned are European.-AM. ED.]

† Insect Transformations, p. 193.

state, insects will bear an almost incredible degree of cold with impunity. We extract two instances recorded in the publication of Mr. Rennie, on Insect Transformations, already alluded to.* "In Newfoundland, Captain Buchan saw a lake, which, in the evening, was entirely still and frozen over; but, as soon as the sun had dissolved the ice in the morning, it was all in a bustle of animation, in consequence, as was discovered, of myriads of flies let loose, while many still remain infixed and frozen round." A still more striking instance is mentioned by Ellis, in which "a large black mass, like coal or peat upon the hearth, dissolved, when thrown upon the fire, into a cloud of mosquitoes (Culicidæ.)"

One other remarkable instance I shall mention, not only because it relates to another form of the hybernating principle, but also because it throws light upon a passage of Scripture, which naturalists were inclined to consider as founded on mistake. The passage is from the Proverbs of Solomon,-"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise; which having no guide, overseer, nor ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." It has been alleged, that the ant has no such instinct; that indeed if she had, it would be altogether useless to her, as, in winter, she falls into a state of torpidity; and that Solomon must, therefore, have mistaken for her winter store, the larvæ of this insect, which she tends with much assiduity, and which are found carefully deposited in her nest. But it is gratifying to the pious mind to observe in how many instances, the discoveries of science throw light on the difficult passages of Scripture; and prove the accuracy of its statements, even in matters of natural history, which it incidentally notices. Of these instances, this is one. It is true that, in climates such as that of Europe, where the cold of winter is intense, the ant does fall into a state of torpidity; and, as if she anticipated this state, she makes no provision for the severity of winter. But it is different, at least with one species p. 406.

* Insect Transformations,

† Proverbs vi. 6.

of ant, in India, named by Mr. Hope the Provision Ant, as is stated by Mr. Kirby, on the authority of Colonel Sykes. "These ants," says Mr. Kirby, "after longcontinued rains, during the monsoon, were found to bring up, and lay on the surface of the earth, on a fine day, their stores of grass-seeds, and grains of Guinea-corn, for the purpose of drying them. Many scores of these hoards were frequently observable on the extensive parade at Poona. This account," he adds, "clearly proves that, where the climate, and their circumstances, require it, these industrious creatures do store up provisions." The strong propensity of the ant, thus attested, serves to indicate the accuracy of Solomon's information; and, after this discovery, there can be little doubt, that, though the naturalist, who is too little acquainted with the animals of the Holy Land, has not yet ascertained the fact by actual observation, these insects do, in that country, follow a similar instinct, during its mild winter.

The immense variety of the insect tribes, and the inexhaustible resources of the Author of Nature in accommodating their instincts and functions to their peculiar circumstances and condition, precludes the possibility of comprising any thing like a particular detail of the manner in which the various tribes are enabled to pass the winter months, within the bounds we have prescribed to ourselves. The above sketch will suffice to afford some insight into these wonderful and diversified provisions, and to direct the reader to inquiries which will amply repay his industry, and which he will find grow upon him at every step. Some observations on the hybernation of the honey-bee, the snail, and the beetle, which will be found in subsequent papers, must close my observations on this part of the history of insects. Their still more astonishing faculties and modes of existence, in the other seasons of the year, shall be considered afterwards.