IOUELLE S 



We copy from Mr. Kirby the following interesting 

 account of which we were a witness on the 24th of 

 last July. 



"In the warm days that occur from the end of 

 July to the beginning of September, and sometimes 

 later, the habitations of the various species of ants 

 may be seen to swarm with winged insects, which 

 are the majes and females, preparing to quit for ever 

 the scene of their nativity and education. Every 

 thing is in motion ; and the silver wings contrasted 

 with the jet bodies which compose the animated 

 mass, add a degree of splendour to the interesting 

 scene. The bustle increases, till at length the males 

 rise, as it were by a general impulse, into the air, 

 and the females accompany tbera. The whole swarm 

 alternately rises and falls, with a slow movement, 

 to the' height of about ten feet ; the males flying 

 obliquely with a rapid zigzag motion, and the fe- 

 male-, though they follow the general movement 

 of the column, appearing suspended in the air, like 

 balloons, seemingly with no individual motion, and 

 having their heads turned towards the wind. 



" Sometimes the swarms of a whole district unite 

 their infinite myriads, and, seen at a distance, pro- 

 duce an effect resembling the flashing of an aurora 

 borealis. Rising with incredible velocity in distinct 

 columns, they soar above the clouds. Each column 

 looks like a kind of slender net-work, and has a 

 tremulous undulating motion, which has been ob- 

 served to be produced by the regular alternate rising 

 and falling just alluded to. The noise emitted by 

 myriads and myriads of these creatures docs nor 



