“Woodseers are insects which I dare say you know very well whether it be the proper name I don’t know this what we call them & that you know is sufficient for us–they lye in little white notts of spittle on the backs of leaves & flowers. How they come I don’t know but they are always seen plentiful in moist weathe–& are one of the shepherds weather glasses. When the head of the insect is seen upward it is said to token fine weather when downward on the contrary wet may be expected.”
—John Clare (1793-1864)
