368 INSECT TRANSFORMATIONS. 



These are most frequently observed frolicking in 

 parties of from two to a dozen or more; but we 

 have very frequently seen an individual performing 

 his gyrations with the same alacrity when alone .as 

 when mingling with his companions. We conclude, 

 therefore, that the apparent sociality of these insects 

 has no closer bond than that of the vultures which 

 crowd to devour the same carcase, or of the unsocial 

 sea-birds which congregate near a shoal of fish.* 



Kirby and Spence appear to be of a different 

 opinion: these c little beetles,' say they, ' which 

 may be seen clustering in groups under warm banks 

 in every river and every pool, and wheeling round 

 and round with great velocity; at your approach 

 dispersing and diving under water, but, as soon as 

 you retire, resuming their accustomed movements, 

 seem to be under the influence of the social principle, 

 and to form their assemblies for no other purpose 

 than to enjoy together in the sun-shine the mazy 

 dance. 'f 



The following account of the manners of this bee- 

 tle, by Mr Knapp, is well worth extracting; though 

 it is much more lively and interesting than strictly 

 correct : 



c Water, quiet, still water, affords a place of action 

 to a very amusing little fellow ( Gyrinus natator), 

 which, about the month of April, if the weather be 

 tolerably mild, we see gamboling upon the surface 

 of the sheltered pool; and every schoolboy, who has 

 angled for minnows in the brook, is well acquainted 

 with this merry swimmer in his shining black 

 jacket. Retiring in the autumn, and reposing all the 

 winter in the mud at the bottom of the pond, it 

 awakens in the spring, rises to the surface, and com- 

 mences its summer sports.J They associate in small 



* J. R. t Intr., vol. ii, p. 4. 



$ We have seen them throughout the severe winter of 1 829- 

 30, sporting on the unfrozen springs at Lee, in Kent. J. R. 



