i 66 Mr. -smeathman’s Account of 
In the winged fiats they have alfo much altered their fize as 
well as form. Their bodies now meafure between fix and feven 
tenths of an inch in length, and their wings above two inches 
and a half from tip to tip, and they are equal in bulk to about 
thirty labourers, or two foldiers. They are now alfo fur- 
mihed with two large eyes placed on each fide of the head, 
and very confpicuous ; if they have any before, they are not 
eafily to be diftinguifhed. Probably in the two firft hates, 
their eyes, if they have any, may be frnall like thofe of 
moles ; for as they live like thefe animals always under- 
ground, they have as little occafion for thefe organs, and it 
is not to he wondered at that we do not difcover them ; but 
the cafe is much altered when they arrive at the winged 
hate in which they are to roam, though but for a few 
hours, through the wide air, and explore new and diftant 
regions. In this form the animal comes abroad during or foon 
after the firft tornado, which at the latter end of the dry feafon 
proclaims the approach of the enfuing rains, and feldom 
waits for a fecond or third fhower, if the firft, as is generally 
the cafe, happens in the night, and brings much wet after it ( 2 °b 
The quantities that are to be found the next morning all over 
the furfaee of the earth, but particularly on the waters, is 
aftonilhing ; for their wings are only calculated to carry them 
( 20 ) « At night I vifited Mr. harrison on board the {loop j during the time 
we had a dreadful tornado, in which a fort of large flies with long wings came 
s< on board in fuch prodigious numbers, that flying into the flames of the 
6! candles, the table was foon covered with thofe that burnt their wings; and 
others, which were riot burnt, as they walked along the table flied their wings, 
“ and then were nothing but fo many perfed large maggots.” June 10, 1732. 
moor’s Travels, p. 118, 
3 
a few 
