THEIR AERIAL DAXCES. 185 



And we have a further reference to the effect of a 

 change of weather on this or some other genus, in 

 the words — 



" One cloud of winter showers, 



These flies have couched." 



Timon of Athens, Act II. Sc. II. 



Their assembling, as here described, is a fact with 

 which even the most incurious obsen-er is familiar, 

 and on which the most refined may speculate. Why 

 do they thus associate together .'' \Miat principle 

 impels them to join in the airy and ceaseless dance, 

 that best evidence of their enjoyment ? Perhaps 

 no solution of this question can be more true, and 

 at the same time more philosophical, than that afforded 

 by the poet : — 



" Nor wanting here, to entertain the thought, 

 Creatui-es that in communities exist, 

 Less, as might seem, for general guardianship. 

 Or through dependence upon mutual aid, 

 Tlian by participation of delight, 

 And a strict fellowship of love combined : 

 ^^'hat other spirit can it be that prompts 

 The gilded summer-flies to mix and weave 

 Tlieir sports together in the solar beam, 

 Or in the gloom of twilight hum their joy ? " 



Word*irort/i. 



During the summer, many tribes of dipterous 

 insects are seen in the joyous mazes here described. 

 I have watched them over a small piece of water. 



