222 MUSIC OF BEES. 



insect could still utter (as well it might) a shrill peevish 

 sound ; and the same is confirmed by the silent flight of many 

 insects of the same order. 



Speaking of the hum of bees, which, though monotonous, 

 is, through association, one of the most delightful of all insect 

 harmonies, Kirby remarks, " that it ceases when she alights ; 

 that of the wasp and hornet is more sonorous. The bombma- 

 tion of humble-bees may be heard from far, gradually in- 

 creasing, till, when in its wheeling flight it passes close to the 

 ear, almost stunning it by its sharp, shrill, deafening sound."* 



The buzz of flies has been supposed to arise from the strik- 

 ing of their wings upon the air ; but this would seem dis- 

 proved by the silent progress of many other rapid fliers, such 

 as the dragon and crane flies ; also by the power of some to 

 produce a loud buzz when not upon the wing. Eennief cites, 

 as an example, the buzz of a wasp-fly, when resting, apparently 

 motionless, on the window. Upon close observation, a vibra- 

 tory tremor, similar to that of a harp-string, though so rapid 

 as to be almost invisible, was perceptible in its wings ; and 

 when these were laid hold of, the sound ceased. It is supposed 

 by the same author that this sound was not referable, simply. 

 to any muscular movement, but that it must have arisen either 

 from air playing on the membranaceous edges of the wings at 

 their origin, as in the case of an JEolian harp-string, or by the 

 stroke or friction of some internal organ upon the roots of the 



* Introduction to Entomology. * In Insect Miscellanies. 



