LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
163 
hollyhock of our gardens, hut rather smaller. 
These trees or shrubs are an unfailing resort of the 
Humming-birds, which every day through the long 
summer, flock to their blossoms, and hang and sip 
round and round, always there, but never still ; so 
intent on their pursuit as to allow you to approach 
directly under them, if you go cautiously. I have 
mentioned these fairy creatures before, but if I 
were content with only a single passing notice, you 
would fail to acquire a commensurate idea of their 
abundance with us, and of the part they take in 
filling a southern landscape. In every part of the 
garden we may see them at all hours of the day, 
flitting to and fro, coming and going, making 
the very atmosphere alive with their gaiety and 
radiance. 
An object, that cannot fail, although small, to 
arrest the attention even of the most incurious, is 
the Ball Chafer {PJianceus cariiifex). It is a short, 
square-built, thick-set beetle, a little smaller than 
our English cockchafer: the abdomen and the 
elytra are metallic green, the top of the thorax, 
which is elevated, is rough but glittering, and 
much resembles in appearance, burnished copper. 
On the head is a tall horn, like that of a rhinoceros, 
recurved over the thorax. The indefatigable exer- 
tions of this little creature are directed to the ap- 
propriation and removal of the dung of other 
animals, chiefly of horses and cattle. This humble 
but useful object it effects in an amazingly short 
space of time. No sooner is the material dropped 
than the chafers congregate to it from all sides, and 
after flying around it a few times, narrowing the 
circle at each gyration, alight on it, close their 
elytra, draw up their folded wings, and instantly 
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