SEASONS OF INSECTS. 527 



of trees and plants. Moths, especially the Noctuida, 

 may often be met with in woods, as before observed a , 

 on the north side of the trunks of trees. Mr. Marsham 

 related to me, that once a little before sunset, observing 

 over his head a number of insects on the wing moving 

 on in one direction, he caught some of them, and they 

 proved to be Labia minor. Struck with the circum- 

 stance, he watched them several evenings ; and on one, 

 as he was looking about a melon-pit for insects, he saw 

 these little animals alight on the frame, hastily fold up 

 their wings, and entering under the glasses, run down 

 its sides and bury themselves in the loose earth. This 

 he observed repeatedly. The onward flight of these in- 

 sects was therefore evidently their return from their 

 diurnal cruise to their nocturnal station. This happen- 

 ed in September. 



I am, &c. 



a VOL. II. p. 217. See above, p. 200. 



