FiEE-FLIES. 37 



according as the insect turns its body in flight, but the 

 ruddy reflection on the grass beneath being constantly 

 visible, as the animal leisurely pursues its course. Now 

 and then the green light from the upper "buirs-eye/' 

 which seems to be under the insect's control, is displayed, 

 and then again the mingling of the two complementary 

 colours, red and green, in the evolutions of flight, is in- 

 describably beautiful. 



I have gazed upon these changing lights, flitting here 

 and there in the openings of the dense forest, during the 

 stillness of the night, till I could scarcely divest myself of 

 the persuasion that human intelligence and human will 

 were concerned in their production. Thoughts of the 

 once happy Indians, that enjoyed a simple life in these 

 charming glades before Columbus discovered their re- 

 treats, would then crowd up ; and it required but little 

 imagination to fancy myself surrounded by hundreds of 

 the aborigines, holding their revels under the coolness of 

 the night-season, as of old. 



