thorax is said to be sufficient for a person to read the smallest print, by moving one of them, when placed between the fingers with the light downwards, along the line; and, when several are put together in a glass or transparent tube, the light will be found sufficiently great to admit of writing by it. These singular creatures have doubtless lent a friendly light to many a tropical wanderer. No doubt the brilliancy of the spectacle alone is sufficient to raise the despondent spirit of a person who has lost his track in one of the deep American forests. Their splendour has been mentioned in the following words :-"I could not but admire the thousands and tens of thousands of fireflies that spangled the gulf below, a tiny galaxy; they did not twinkle promiscuously, but seemed to emit their small green light by signals, beginning at the head of the ravine, and glaring all the way down in a wavy, continuous, lambent flash; every fly, as it were, taking the time from its neighbour ahead; then, for a moment, all would be dark, until the stream of sparkles flowed down once more from the head of the valley, and again disappeared astern of We are informed that these insects were formerly used by the Indians as lamps, so that they were enabled to perform their evening household works, to spin, weave, paint, dance, &c., by their light, as well as for the purpose of lighting them on their nocturnal hunting and fishing expeditions; when employed for the latter, one of them was tied to each of their feet.

us."

They are also used by the Indians, by whom these insects are denominated cucuji, for the purpose of destroying the gnats or moschetoes in their abodes, which would become otherwise excessively troublesome. When required for this occupation, it becomes necessary for the Indians to place themselves on some eminence, with a lighted firebrand in their hands, which they wave about in the air;

these insects, as well as others, are attracted by the light, and, at the same time, we are told, the Indians often call out cucuie, cucuie; and after having secured a sufficient number, they return and let them loose in their residences, where the insect seeks the moschetoes about the beds, and the faces of those asleep. The same person also relates, that many wanton wild fellows rub their faces with the luminous matter of these insects, for the purpose of meeting their neighbours with a flaming counte

nance.

On certain festival days they are collected in great numbers, and distributed over the garments of the young people, who gallop through the street on their chargers, which are also similarly ornamented; thus producing, on a dark evening, the idea of moving figures of fiery horsemen. And also on similar occasions, the young men display their gallantry by decking their mistresses with these sparkling living "diamonds." Mr. Southey has, in one of his poems, mentioned this fly in the following

manner:

"She beckoned and descended, and drew out
From underneath her vest a cage, or net
It rather might be called, so fine the twigs
Which knit it, where confined two fireflies gave
Their lustre. By that light did Madoc first
Behold the features of his lovely bride."

It is related by Mouffet, that, on one occasion, this insect caused in the West Indies the failure of some troops; for in the evening of the day on which they had landed, they saw an infinite number of moving lights in the woods, which they supposed were the torches of the Spaniards advancing upon them, and immediately betook themselves to their ships.

Having mentioned three species of coleopterous or hard-winged insects, we will now proceed to speak of two of the hemipterous order, which are

stated to possess the power of discharging a light from the projection in front of their heads; but as to the accuracy of this statement, we think it best to quote the words of the European who first promulgated this extraordinary phenomenon. Madame Merian, in her work on the Insects of Surinam, gives the following curious account of the manner in which she was frightened by this insect:

"The Indians once brought me," says the lady, "before I knew that they shone by night, a number

of these lanternflies (Fulgora lanternaria), which I shut up in a large wooden box. In the night they made such a noise that I awoke in a fright, and ordered a light to be brought, not knowing from whence the noise proceeded. As soon as we found that it came from the box, we opened it, but were still more alarmed, and let it fall to the ground in a fright, at seeing a flame of fire come out of it; and as many animals as came out so many flames of fire appeared. When we found this to be the case, we recovered from our fright, and again collected the insects, highly admiring their splendid appearance."

She also states, that the light proceeding from one of these insects was sufficient to read a common newspaper. Parts of the lanternfly are formed into armlets and necklaces, attached together by means of fine metallic thread, and worn by the higher ranks of the Brazilian ladies, by whom their splendour is considered exquisite and brilliant. Such gems are these ornaments held by the ladies, that the sum of ten to fourteen pounds is said to be given for them. It has also been stated by a traveller, that he journeyed many miles by the light of these insects through the woods and district of the Brazils.

The second species, which is designated the candlefly (Fulgora candelaria), is an inhabitant of China, from whence dry specimens are sent in great profusion. The light is said to proceed from the projection in front of the head, as in the former, though some authors have doubted the accuracy of this idea. Mr. Donovan, in his book on the Insects of China, has represented one seated on a flower, emitting a powerful light, which light is stated to

be of a faint purplish colour. This is supposed to be the insect collected by the tenawhat (which may

prove to be a species of Ploceus or Weaver-bird), to decorate its nest, to which they are attached by means of clay or some other adhesive substance, whether for the purpose of food or of light remains to be proved, or “perhaps to scare some nocturnal spoiler;" one author states it may be "to see company."

The real object of this light is not thoroughly understood by entomologists; but Messrs. Kirby and Spence "consider that it may act the part that their name imports, enabling them to discover their prey, and to steer themselves safely in the night," which probably is the case, as most of the herbivorous sucking insects are nocturnal. When this luminous projection is cut down the centre and laid open, it will be found perfectly hollow, without any appearance of having contained any luminous matter, which, perhaps, is situated between the outer skin and the interior lining of the rostrum or beak of the insect.

CHAPTER VIII.

NATURAL HISTORY OF COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS.

History of the Cockchafer, its Ravages-Description of the Larva, Pupa, Perfect Insect, its mode of appearing, Habits-Account of its Ravages in Ireland-The history of the Death-watch, the Vulgar Opinion, its Noise, Number of Strokes-History of the Burying-beetle, its Manner of Burying Moles, &c.-For what Purpose-Description of the Larva and Pupa.

In this and the following chapter we propose to give the natural history of several coleopterous or hard-winged insects. One of the most destructive is commonly known by the name of Cockchafer (Melolontha vulgaris). The larva, which is vulgarly