The Natural History of Selborne 439 



observed the same circumstance of a vast number of these insects 

 flying near the tops of the elms and dropping to the ground. 



On the 2nd of March, 1777, I saw great numbers of ants come 

 out of the ground. MARKWICK. 



GLOW-WORMS 



BY observing two glow-worms which were brought into the field 

 to the back in the garden, it appeared to us that these little 

 creatures put out their lamps between eleven and twelve, and shine 

 no more for the rest of the night. 



Male glow-worms attracted by the light of the candles come into 

 the parlour. WHITE. 



EARTH-WORMS. 



EARTH-WORMS make their casts most in mild weather about March 

 and April ; they do not lie torpid in winter, but come forth when 

 there is no frost ; they travel about in rainy nights, as appears from 

 their sinuous tracks on the soft muddy soil, perhaps in search of 

 food. 



When earth-worms lie out a-nights on the turf, though they 

 extend their bodies a great way, they do not leave their holes, but 

 keep the ends of their tails fixed therein, so that on the least alarm 

 they can retire with precipitation under the earth. Whatever food 

 falls within their reach when thus extended, they seem to be content 

 with, such as blades of grass, straws, fallen leaves, the ends of which 

 they often draw into their holes ; even in copulation their hinder 

 parts never quit their holes ; so that no two, except they lie within 

 reach of each other's bodies, can have any commerce of that kind ; 

 but as every individual is an hermaphrodite, there is no difficulty 

 in meeting with a mate, as would be the case were they of different 

 sexes. WHITE. 



