Dipterous Meets, Plants. 5\r> 



much resembles thin smoke or vapour, and the disappearance 

 and reappearance were obviously caused by the wind's gently 

 wafting them [or by their own voluntary dancing] " on and 

 off" the spot where they were enjoying their aerial gambols. 

 The first time I witnessed an appearance of this sort was on 

 a still summer's evening in July ; and, until I approached the 

 spot, I felt sure it was vapour or thin smoke, which the still- 

 ness of the evening had rendered nearly stationary ; but a 

 close examination (which I was able to make) disclosed the 

 fact. Kirby and Spence, in their Entomology, vol. i. p. 113., 

 mention a similar appearance over the cathedral at Salisbury ; 

 and so strongly were the good folks of Sarum impressed with 

 the idea that it was smoke, that fears were entertained for the 

 safety of that celebrated structure. An appearance of this 

 description was in Spenser's mind when he wrote the familiar 

 stanza beginning " As when a swarme of gnats," &c. [See 

 the relative part of this stanza quoted at length, Vol. V. p. 206.] 

 Dr. Forster's Encyclopaedia is an exceedingly useful and enter- 

 taining volume, and a recollection that it is recommended by 

 you as such, has induced me to trouble you with these few 

 remarks. Your constant reader, — O. Clapton, March, 1 832. 



Countless Numbers of Flies or Gnats dancing in a 'partly 

 perpendicular Column, — In a walk, at eight o'clock in the 

 fine evening of Sunday, July 14. 1833, in Kensington Gar- 

 dens, I and two companions were induced to look up into the 

 air by a humming noise produced over our heads ; when, to 

 our surprise, we beheld a column of flies or gnats, of 2 ft. or 

 3 ft. in diameter and about 20 ft. high. The upper portion of 

 the column was curved to the east; and the whole column 

 was, in consequence, of the form of the letter J inverted : the, 

 gnats in every part of the column were in most lively motion. 

 I have said flies or gnats; for the lowest end of the column 

 was beyond my reach, so that I could not obtain any by 

 which to learn what they were : but flies are, I believe, rarely 

 on the wing so late in any number. — J. D. 



A Gnat observed to be fighting its Shadow. — My son ob- 

 served, the other evening, a gnat, with speckled wings, fighting 

 with its shadow upon the wall ; and, as he moved the candle, 

 the gnat followed the shadow. I have not been able to repeat 

 this observation ; but, if it could be frequently made, it might 

 do much towards illustrating some points connected with the 

 sight of these small animals. — J. D. C.Sowcrby. May 27. 1 833. 



Plants. — The Rarer Plants of the Neighbourhood of J Vim- 

 born e ; with Two Species found in Melcombe Park, and Four 

 in the Isle of Purbeck. — Sir, My time is generally too fully 



Vol. VI.— No. 36. nn 



