436 The Natural History of Selborne 



the tender bodies and deposits its eggs in the larva of the Tipula 

 iritici, an insect, which, when it abounds greatly, is very prejudicial 

 to the grains of wheat. This operation I have frequently seen it 

 perform with wonder and delight. MARKWICK. 



BOMBYLIUS MEDIUS. 



THE Itombylius medius is much about in March and the beginning of 

 April, and soon seems to retire. It is an hairy insect, like a humble- 

 bee, but with only two wings, and a long straight beak, with which it 

 sucks the early flowers. The female seems to lay its eggs as it poises 

 on its wings, by striking its tail on the ground, and against the grass 

 that stands in its way, in a quick manner, for several times together. 

 WHITE. 



I have often seen this insect fly with great velocity, stop on a 

 sudden, hang in the air in a stationary position for some time, and 

 then fly off again ; but do not recollect having ever seen it strike 

 its tail against the ground, or any other substance. MARKWICK. 



. FLIES. 



IN the decline of the year, when the mornings and evenings become 

 chilly, many species of flies (Muscle) retire into houses, and swarm 

 in the windows. 



At first they are very brisk and alert ; but as they grow more 

 torpid, one cannot help observing that they move with difficulty, and 

 are scarce able to lift their legs, which seem as if glued to the glass ; 

 and by degrees many do actually stick on till they die in the place. 



It has been observed that divers flies, beside their sharp hooked 

 nails, have also skinny palms, or flaps to their feet, whereby they are 

 enabled to stick on the glass and other smooth bodies, and to walk 

 on ceilings with their backs downward, by means of the pressure of 



