274 OBSERVATIONS ON 



the air in a stationary position for some 

 time, and then fly off again ; but do not 

 recollect having ever seen it strike its tail 

 against the ground, or any other sub- 

 stance. Markwick. 



MUSC^.— FLIES. 



In the decline of the year, when the 

 mornings and evenings become chilly, 

 many species of flies ( muscce J retire into 

 houses, and swarm in the windows. 



At first they are very brisk and alerl; 

 but as they grow more torpid, one cannot 

 help observing that they move with diffi- 

 culty, and are scarce able to lift their legs, 

 which seem as if glued to the glass ; and 

 by degrees many do actually stick on till 

 they die in the place. 



It has been observed that divers flies, 

 besides their sharp hooked nails, have 

 also skinny palms, or flaps to their feet, 

 whereby they are enabled to stick on glass 

 and other smooth bodies, and to walk on 



