THE CLASSES. 8 



thicker in the middle ; they have two pairs of large wings 

 set near the head, the under ones of some fold double, and 

 all close together along the back and slope down over the 

 sides like the roof of a house, in an irregular triangular 

 form commencing like a point at the shoulders and grow- 

 ing broader to the ends. The top of the head, shoulders, 

 and exposed parts of the folded wings, are in general set 

 with a fine short down, which fringes the edges of the 

 wings, and glistens in the sun with rich reflections; the 

 under wings and parts are plain ; their thighs are thick and 

 fleshy, their legs long, and set with like small feet similar 

 to the moths to which they seem akin ; and they sport on 

 the wing much more in the dusk and twilight than in the 

 day time ; they are in general tender and susceptible of 

 cold a warm evening shews many of the species up in 

 great numbers^ when they are very active and nimble, fly- 

 ing off in quick whirls and rounds, and running exceedingly 

 fast. They are a very numerous class, of various sizes, 

 colors, and mottles, varying in shade from the light coppery 

 tinge to the deep dun hue of the thunder cloud, which has 

 named them. They are all bred in the water, from creepers, 

 that are enclosed in artificial cases, singularly composed 

 around them for their preservation ; most of them swarm 

 twice a year. The following species have been under 

 notice : 



Early Dun Page 1 7 



Gran n am or Green tail .... 27 



Sanded Dun 38 



Plover . 39 



Freckled 40 



Light 40 



Little Freckled Dun . . . . 43 



Least ....... 44 



Fceted 45 



Dark 46 



Red 46 



Brown .,,,,.. 58 



