HABITS OF THE MIDGE. 113 



tliey, that he noticed a dozen at a time laying 

 theip eggs upon the same ear. At the same 

 time, he could not discover one he could pro- 

 nounce to be a male. The males most likely 

 make their appearance at some other time. 



Though seen in such multitudes at night, 

 the morning does not exhibit a single one in 

 action; but they are to be found while reposing 

 on the wheat-stalks. If the growing corn is 

 wdl shaken, they fly languidly about, a short 

 height from the ground, disturbed but not in- 

 vigorated. They take their rest low down upon 

 the plant, with their heads pointed towards the 

 sky, in which position they may be readily 

 found. The great business of this singular 

 creature seems to be the safe deposition of its 

 eggs in the florets of the wheat. When occu- 

 pied in this way, they are not easily moved from 

 their engagement, but may be examined if 

 pains are taken to effect this object.. They in- 

 variably assume the position most favourable 

 for the insertion of their eggs, by the long ovi- 

 positor with which nature has provided them. 

 No indication is afforded by the common ap- 

 pearance of the flies that they are possessed of 

 so curious an instrument, but on pressing the 

 anus of any one of them it may be discovered ; 



