ANIMAL PHOSPHORESCENCE. 457 



lamp is obtained sufficient for ordinary household purposes, and trav- 

 elers are said to fasten the insects to the toes of their boots, in order 

 to illuQiinate the pathways at night. The light proceeds from four 

 yellow spots upon the thorax, two of which are hidden by the wing- 

 covers, unless the insect be in flight, when the brightness of the light 

 is also increased by the quicker respiration caused by the motion. 

 The luminous matter is more largely distributed than in the glow- 

 worm, and, if the segmentary rings of the abdomen be gently pulled 

 asunder, the light may be seen shining through the semi-transparent 

 skin of the interstices. 



Two East-Indian species of luminous beetles are especially worthy 

 of mention. In the island of Singapore, a Lamp't/ris is found whicli 

 shines with an intermittent light. The insects cluster among the 

 foliage of trees where the ground is damp and swampy, and, in ac- 

 cordance with some strange instinct, flash out their lanterns simulta- 

 neously. At one moment the tree will be dotted with bright sparks, 

 which a moment later will have disappeared, excepting two or three. 

 The intervals of darkness are about a second in duration. At these 

 times the insects appear to be settled upon the leaves, and, if they are 

 disturbed, they dart out at random, flashing their lights irregularly, 

 and at shorter intervals. Borneo produces a species of glow-worm 

 which shines with a triple row of lamps. It has been found crawling 

 among dead-wood and leaves, the first row of lights being placed along 

 the back, and the second and third rows along the sides. 



Turning to another class among the land Articulata, we may 

 briefly mention the phosphorescence of the centipede and tliat of the 

 earthworm. Both phenomena may be seen in England, but are more 

 common on the Continent. The centipede, which is tawny brown in 

 color, and scarcely exceeds the tenth of an inch in diameter, is about 

 an inch and a half in length. It frequents out-houses and arbors, 

 where it may sometimes be found crawling along the ground, and 

 searching for the insects on which it feeds. The phosphorescent prop- 

 erty resides in a fluid which it secretes, and with which it can moisten 

 the whole of its body. The light becomes more brilliant when the ani- 

 mal is irritated, and, if the fluid be received upon the hand, it will con- 

 tinue luminous for some seconds. M. Audouin, a French naturalist, 

 residing near Paris, was witness of a remarkable appearance which 

 was caused by luminous centipedes. He was informed that there 

 were " earthworms " in a field near his house, glowing like red-hot 

 coals. On going to the place to sec, he found merely a few luminous 

 streaks here and there upon the ground; but, when a spade was 

 brought, and some of the earth thrown up, a beautiful spectacle pre- 

 sented itself. Great numbers of centipedes, which had collected 

 together for some purpose, were unearthed, and the soil shone with 

 the light which they emitted, the streaks remaining visible for many- 

 seconds, if the clods were crushed beneath the foot. Similarly, Prof. 



