4 IMPERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 
—associations of males during the season for pairing— 
associations formed for the purpose of travelling or emi- 
grating together—associations for feeding together—and 
associations that undertake some common work. 
The first of these associations consists chiefly of insects 
in their perfect state. The little beetles called whirlwigs 
(Gyrinus, L.),—which may be seen clustering in groups 
under warm banks in every river and every pool, and 
wheeling round and round with great velocity; at your 
approach dispersing and diving under water, but as soon 
as you retire resuming their accustomed movements,— 
seem to be under the influence of the social principle, 
and to form their assemblies for no other purpose but 
to enjoy together, in the sunbeam, the mazy dance. 
Impelled by the same feeling, in the very depth of win- 
ter, even when the earth is covered with snow, the tribes 
of Tipulide (usually, but improperly, called gnats) as- 
semble in sheltered situations at midday, when the sun 
shines, and form themselves into choirs, that alternately 
rise and fall with rapid evolutions?. To see these little 
aéry begs apparently so full of joy and life, and feeling 
the entire force of the social principle in that dreary sea- 
son, when the whole animal creation appears to suffer, 
and the rest of the insect tribes are torpid, always con- 
veys to my mind the most agreeable sensations. These - 
little creatures may always be seen at all seasons amu- 
sing themselves with these choral dances; which Mr. 
‘Wordsworth, in a late poem», has alluded to in the fol- 
lowing beautiful lines : 
2 See also Markwick in White’s Nat. Hist. ii. 256. 
b The Excursion. 
