( 15*9^ ) 
PedkuU Aqnatici f which Svpammerddm calls FuUces Aqua* 
t/ci Arboyefcentes ) which are fcldom barren, were for in- 
ftance lefs numerous in our Waters thislaft Summer,than 
the Summer before, by many myiiads, or at leaft left 
venereally inclined, or lefs pregnant, as I judge, from 
their being vaftly lefs numbers of them congregated toge- 
ther. For the reafon ot their aflembling in fuch vaft 
numbers, fo as to difcolour the Waters, I have dilcovered 
to be cither for Venery, or to difcharge their young at 
leaftout of the Receptacles wherein they were lodged, or 
to caft their Exuv7£, or Skins, or for all together. For 
I have feen all thefe things performed at that time, if I 
miftook not. 
T^ow as thefe moft numerous fertil Infects/o our Death- 
Watchy in all probability, had its venereal Flames abated 
by the Indifpofition of the prefent Year 5 and confe- 
quently(as I faid) have clicked but little this year. 
The reafon of all which I take to be the Wet of the 
Spring-months, effecially May and Jmie laft. In the for- 
mer of whichjthere fell more Rain here at Vpminfier^xhm 
in any month of any year fince 1696. This vaft Wet 
might not only chill and fpoil the Eggs of the Water- 
Infeft, but alfo indifpo(e the Air, and by fomefuch means 
afFedsall other Infefts, and render them lefs Prolifick. 
And not only Infefts, but even Corn it felf, we have, 
to our coft, found to be lefs fruitful than than the Winter 
before gave us hopes of. 
But tis time to leave this long, and I fear tedious ac* 
count of the Noife of the Death-^'atch, and proceed. 
After that they have fpent fome time in terrifying their 
pufillanimous Hearers^ and entertaining themfelves with 
their Hymeneal Mufick, they copulate. I do not remem- 
ber that I ever found them in Copulation, till a week or 
fortnight after their Ticking. But 'tis very probable that 
they do copulate in the time of their Tkkjng^ as I haVe 
^formerly Qiewn the Scarab<em Death-Watch to do. 
Of 
