336 OBSERVATIONS ON 



the shrubbery, and frisking about as if the business of generation 

 was still going on. Hence it appears that these diptera (which 

 by their sizes appear to be of different species) are not subject to 

 a torpid state in the winter, as most winged insects are. At 

 night, and in frosty weather, and when it rains and blows, they 

 seem to retire into those trees. They often are out in a fog. 



HUMMING IN THE AIR. 



There is a natural occurrence to be met with upon the highest 

 part of our down in hot summer days, which always amuses me 

 much, without giving me any satisfaction with respect to the 

 cause of it ; and that is a loud audible humming of bees in the 

 air, though not one insect is to be seen. This sound is to be 

 heard distinctly the whole common through, from the Money- 

 dells, to Mr. White's avenue-gate. Any person would suppose 

 that a large swarm of bees was in motion, and playing about over 

 his head. This noise was heard last week, on June 28th. 



' Resounds the living surface of the ground, 

 ' Nor undelightful is the ceaseless hum 



' To him who muses at noon." 



1 Thick in yon stream of light a thousand ways, 



'{Upward and downward, thwarting and convolv'd, 



' The quivering nations sport." THOMSON'S SEASONS. 



CHAFFERS. 



Cockchaffers seldom abound oftener than once in three or four 

 years ; when they swarm, they deface the trees and hedges. 

 Whole woods of oaks are stripped bare by them. 



Chaffers are eaten by the turkey, the rook, and the house- 

 sparrow. 



The scarabceus [Rhizotrogus] solsiitialis first appears about June 

 26 : they are very punctual in their coming out every year. They 

 are a small species, about half the size of the May-chaffer, and are 

 known in some parts by the name of the fern-chaffer. 



PTINUS PECTINICORNIS. 



Those maggots that make worm-holes in tables, chairs, bed- 

 posts, &c. and destroy wooden furniture, especially where there is 



