CH. XV,] SPECIES OF DIPTEROUS INSECTS. 231 



produced in numbers in the same places, and are 

 attached to peculiar haunts. We, however, feel in- 

 duced to consider that both these opinions are cor- 

 rect to a certain extent ; but for the solution of the 

 question it is necessary to attend to the fact that the 

 artists, in these natural dances, are generally males, 

 the females very rarely taking part in the dance. 

 In the winter-midges this fact is not easily ascer- 

 tained, because there is but little external difference 

 in the appearance of the two sexes ; but, in the 

 chironomi, the beautifully feathered antennae of the 

 males will at once be perceived, in almost every 

 specimen which may be captured in the dance. 

 Supposing, then, that a swarm of these male insects 

 make their appearance in the perfect state at the 

 same time, the immediate object of each is to seek 

 its partners ; and it appears to us that each is in- 

 duced to join and continue with the troop, in the 

 hope of meeting with the favourite object of its 

 search among the crowd of which it forms a part. 



Among the species of midges which pursue their 

 myriad dances in the air, is one of a very small size, 

 of a jet black colour, with snow-white wings. At 

 times an individual or two finds its entrance to our 

 apartments in an evening, probably attracted by the 

 light of candles or lamps ; and we have repeatedly 

 observed what might be easily mistaken for a con- 

 tinuance of their gambols, — indeed, at the present 

 moment (9 o'clock, p. m., 1st of August, 1832) there 

 are a pair creeping and flying about on a sheet of 

 paper upon which we are writing, at no great dis- 

 tance from the light. Now one of them rises, taking 

 a few turns round the light, falling again with con- 

 siderable force upon the paper, sometimes dropping 

 on its wings ; now it takes a shorter flight, and 

 comes dashing about upon the paper. From atten- 

 tively observing their proceedings we are convinced 

 that, like moths which enter a lighted room, they 

 have become dazzled and bewildered by the light 



