noiſe, it in a ſhort time ſaws the branch aſunder. They are by many called elephant flies, from the great reſemblance of their heads to that animal; they are perfectly harmleſs, and are caught only to be kept as curioſities.
The blackſmith fly, is ſo called from its making a noiſe refembling in ſound the ſtriking on iron. In the centre of its back is a projecting horny point, and a crevice of the ſame nature on the hind part of the head, near the ſhoulders, which being ſtruck together by a jerk of the head and body, make a tinkling noiſe, that may be heard at a conſiderable diſtance; and ſo elaſtic is the membrane which joins the head and body together, that, if the inſect is laid on its back, it will ſpring to a tolerable height upwards, and fall directly on its legs. It differs very little from the beetle in ſhape or ſize, excepting in its elaſtic powers, and making ſo ſingular a noiſe.
