274 GILBEET WHITE OF SELBOENE 1775 



with ease ; but if I had been there, my short stumps would 

 have followed through the snow " non passibus acquis." 



When you have settled with Mr. Morgan I should be glad 

 to hear how you came off; and Mr. Pinnock, who recom- 

 mended that gentleman so far interests himself in the event, 

 as to wish to hear whether it takes place. 



Gossomer has from old times attracted the attention of 

 the curious. Chaucer mentions it among other phsenomena 

 of nature not well understood, or to be accounted for ; such 

 as thunder, &c. 



The Tabanus hovinus, I verily think, has no sting in the 

 tail, or blood-sucking rostrum, but a musca-like proboscis. 

 I have seen it suck the galled parts of Sir Simeon Stuart's 

 working oxen,* without giving them any pain or offence; 

 it abounds most in moist places, and sultry weather. The 

 (Estims curvicauda never lays its nits, I know, but in the 

 warmer hours of the day ; for my horses, which are in stable 

 all day, and out at nights are never covered with those 

 eggs at home. 



Pray examine those little dancing Dipterce^ Tipulce I 

 suppose they are, that sport the winter through in fog, 

 gentle rain, and even frost and snow when the sun shines. 

 Some Phalcence appear the winter through in mild weather, 

 though the papilios are soon laid up. 



I have heard twice from Mr. Pennant within these three 

 weeks; he is very pressing and desirous that your corre- 

 spondence should be renewed; and hopes, if any resent- 

 ments ever subsisted, that they may all be forgotten. Indeed 

 as he seems so earnest, and is a writer by whom brother 

 Ben will be such a gainer, I could wish that you would 

 make advances so far as to continue to write to him 



* How little Selborne has changed since this was written may be inferred 

 from the fact that quite recently (in 1896) oxen were seen at plough there by 

 the present writer, who was also astonished to see wheat cut by the sickle in 

 an^adjoining parish. 



