52 
INSECTS OBSERVED IN 1885. 
dew was exceedingly plentiful, and as aphides were so abundant, 
this is not at all astonishing. The following cutting from the 
‘Hertfordshire Mercury’ of the 8th of August has been forwarded to 
me. I insert it without comment, hut I may add that Mr. Flisher, 
of St. Albans prison, recently told me that the reported swarm of 
flies (aphides) was seen by himself when exercising the prisoners. 
“ A Swarm of Flies in St. Albans.—A contemporary* states that 
on Saturday evening, between seven and eight o’clock, a swarm of 
green flies was seen passing over the recreation-ground at the 
prison. The swarm, which extended several hundred yards, and 
was several yards in breadth and depth, formed a dense black cloud, 
which could only be compared by those who saw it to a flight of 
locnsts. Strange to relate, after the swarm had passed over, the 
recreation-ground of the prison, which had for several days pre¬ 
viously been literally covered with this green fly, was almost 
entirely deserted, the unwelcome intruders having evidently joined 
their companions on the wing. After leaving the prison, the insects 
flew across the ‘ Fifteen Acre ’ field, and were last seen going in 
the direction of Smallford. One of the riders in the employ of 
Mr. East, of Highfield Hall, states that he met a similar swarm 
on the road leading from Wheathampstead to Harpenden. He was 
proceeding along the road on horseback on Saturday last, between 
twelve and one o’clock, when he met the swarm, which he esti¬ 
mates at about 400 yards long, and several yards in width and 
depth, flying close to the ground. The horse, rather than face 
the swarm, placed its head in the hedge until the insects had passed. 
A lady who was also passing at the time was compelled to put up 
her umbrella, this being completely covered by the flies.” 
* Since ascertained to be the ‘ Hertfordshire Standard.’ 
