NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 329 



it makes the groves re-echo with a continual buzzing note, 

 which much resembles the noise of a cutler's wheel, and is 

 known to the Bermudians as the " scissor-grinder." 



August \\th, 1850. — Was very much surprised this even- 

 ing (which is calm and dark) to see a bright, luminous spot 

 moving through the atmosphere, in a somewhat undulating 

 course towards the open windows of my residence ; on 

 approaching which it rose towards the eaves and disap- 

 peared. I immediately exclaimed, " a Firefly," and ran 

 out of the house, with the view of watching its movements. 

 It was not, however, to be seen. 



The Firefly of North America is familiar to me ; and I 

 should certainly say is much smaller than the brilliant 

 insect so accidentally observed to-night, the phosphoric 

 light of which appeared to be delicately tinged with green. 

 This is the first instance of a Firefly being seen in the 

 Bermudas that I am aware of. The question will naturally 

 arise as to whence, and in what manner, it could have 

 been introduced. My own humble opinion leans to the 

 probability of its having been brought here from the West 

 Indies in the many boxes of plants occasionally landed 

 at these islands. 



Mr. Trimingham, of Hungry Bay, subsequently assured 

 me that he had more than once seen the Firefly in Bermuda, 

 and that its occurrence was beyond all doubt. 



The " Honey Bee " is common in the Bermudas, and 

 may be seen in the cottage gardens, in square, wooden 

 boxes, ranged upon a wooden bench. The Bees near 

 Hamilton frequent the sugar warehouses in the town. 

 The windows being always open they pass between the 



