INSECTS AND VERMES. 353 
GLOW-WORMS. 
Br observing two glow-worms whicli were bronglit from 
the field to the bank in the garden, it appeared to us, that 
these little creatures put out their lamps between eleven 
and twelve, and shine no more for the rest of the night. 
Male glow-worms, attracted by the light of the candles, 
come into the parlour. 
EARTHWORMS. 
Earthwoems make their casts most in mild weather about 
March and April ; they do not lie torpid in winter, but 
come forth when there is no frost ; they travel about in 
rainy nights, as appears from their sinuous tracks on the 
soft muddy soil, perhaps in search of food. 
When earthworms lie out a nights on the turf, though 
they extend their bodies a great way, they do not quite 
leave their holes, but keep the ends of their tails fixed 
therein, so that on the least alarm they can retire with 
precipitation under the earth. Whatever food falls within 
their reach when thus extended, they seem to be content 
with, such as blades of grass, straws, fallen leaves, the ends 
of which they often draw into their holes; even when 
pairing their hinder parts never quit their holes, so that no 
two, except they lie within reach of each other^s bodies, can 
pair ; but as every individual is an hermaphrodite, there is 
no diflSculty in meeting with a mate, as would be the case 
were they of difi'erent sexes. 
I saw a prodigious swarm of these ants flying about the top of some 
tall elm trees close by my house ; some were continually dropping to 
the ground as if from the trees, and others rising ap from the ground : 
many of them were pairing; and I imagine thei'' life is but short, for 
as soon as produced from the egg by th^3 heat oi <;he sun, they propa- 
gate their species, and soon after perish. They were black, somewhat 
like the small black ant, and had four wings. I saw also, at anothe\ 
place, a large sort which were yellowish. On t^e 8th of September, 
1785, I again observed the same circumstance of a vast number of 
these insects flying near the tops of the elms and dropping to the 
ground. 
On the 2nd of March, 1777, I saw great numbers of ants come out oi 
the ground. — Mabkwick. 
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