OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS.* 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE first insects seen on wing in the spring in 

 any considerable numbers are generally the smaller 

 coleoptera. These belong principally to the families 

 of Apkodtidee, Curculionidce, and Staphylinida. 

 Swarms of minute gnats, indeed, as long since ob- 

 served by White, may be observed playing about the 

 winter through, if the weather be mild and the air 

 still. There are also several other insects of different 

 orders, which may occasionally be noticed here and 

 there, coming abroad to enjoy a casual fine day. 

 But those mentioned above are the first that occur 

 in any plenty ; and their appearance is generally 

 reserved for one of those warm spring days, which 

 sometimes occur prematurely in the month of Fe- 

 bruary, when the temperature suddenly rises several 

 degrees, and the air acquires a mild softness, so 

 agreeable to the feelings after the winter's cold 

 hardly yet over, and perhaps returning the day after 



* The term is here used in a larger sense than that in which it 

 is generally used by entomologists. 



