MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 369 



which I have usually taken for the E. vulgata, varies 

 from that of De Geer in its proceedings. I found them 

 at the end of May dancing over the meadows, not over 

 the trees, at a much earlier hour at half-past three 

 rising in the way just described, about a foot, and then 

 descending, at the distance of about four or five feet 

 from the ground. Another species, common here, rises 

 seven or eight feet. I have also seen Ephemerae flying 

 over the water in a horizontal direction. The females 

 are sometimes in the air, when the males seize them, 

 and they fly paired. These insects seem to use their 

 fore-legs to break the air; they are applied together 

 before the head, and look like antennae. Hilara maura, 

 a little beaked fly, I have observed rushing in infinite 

 numbers like a shower of rain driven by the wind, 

 as before observed*, over waters, and then returning 

 back. 



It is remarkable that the smaller Tipularite will fly 

 unwetted in a heavy shower of rain, as I have often ob- 

 served. How keen must be their sight, and how rapid 

 their motions, to enable them to steer between drops 

 bigger than their own bodies, which, if they fell upon 

 them, must dash them to the ground ! 



Amidst this infinite variety of motions, for purposes 

 so numerous and diversified, and performed by such a 

 multiplicity of instruments and organs, who does not 

 discern and adore the Great FIRST MOVER? From 

 him all proceed, by him all are endowed, in him all 

 move : and it is to accomplish his ends, and to go on 



a See above, p, 7. 



VOL. IT. 2 B 



