348 OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS. 



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I saw a prodigious swarm of these ants flying about the 

 top of some tall elm-trees (close by my house) ; some were 

 continually dropping to the ground, as if from the trees, 

 and others rising up from the ground ; many of them were 

 joined together in copulation ; and I imagine their life is 

 but short, for as soon as produced from the egg by the heat 

 of the sun, they propagate their species, and soon after 

 perish. They were black, somewhat like the small black 

 ant, and had four wings. I saw also^ at another place, a 

 large sort, which were yellowish. On the 8th September 

 1785 I again observed the same circumstance of a vast 

 number of these insects flying near the tops of the elms and 

 dropping to the ground. 



On the 2nd March 1777 I saw great numbers of ants 

 come out of the ground. — Markwick. 



GLOW-WORMS. 



By observing two glow-worms which were brought from 

 the field to the bank in the garden, it appeared to us that 

 these little creatures put out their lamps between eleven 

 and twelve, and shine no more for the rest of the night. 



Little glow-worms, attracted by the light of the candles, 

 come into the parlour. — White. 



EARTH-WORMS. 



Earth-worms make their casts most in mild weather, 

 about March and April ; they do not lie torpid in winter, 

 but come forth when there is no frost ; they travel about in 

 rainy nights, as appears from tlieir sinuous tracks on the 

 soft muddy soil, perhaps in search of food. 



When earth-worms lie out a-nights on the turf, though 

 they extend their bodies a great way, they do not leave 



