380 Mr. Curtis on Elater noctilucus. 



covered with a brownish ochreous pubescence. Antennce shorter 

 than the thorax, with the fourth and following joints serrated ; 

 the terminal one mucronated, giving it the appearance of a twelfth 

 joint. Head piceous, concave between the eyes, which are very 

 smooth and shining. Thorax quadrate, piceous, anterior angles 

 rounded, posterior acuminated; two fovece towards the centre, 

 and a convex, horny, transparent, spot on each side near the pos- 

 terior angles; straw-coloured when alive, and emitting light; 

 becoming dull after death. Coleoptra elliptic, attenuated. Scu- 

 tellum ovate. Elytra with nine punctured strice on each. Wings 

 ample. Legs rather short. 



The luminous Elaters, of which there are sixteen species enu- 

 merated by Schbnherr, appear to be confined to the New World, 

 and the greater portion of them to Brazil.* 



Mr. Lees having been struck with the beauty of the Fire-fly on 

 his arrival in the West Indies, and becoming desirous to keep 

 them alive, made several attempts during his residence at the 

 Bahamas ; but was unable to succeed in his object, until he learned 

 from a Lady, that the cage containing the Insects should be daily 

 immersed in cold water. This is rendered necessary from their 

 natural habitation being in swampy meadows, where during the 

 day they probably lie concealed in the wet herbage. Perhaps 

 the introduction of damp moss into the cage, (which ought to be 

 made of wood and not glued together,) might be more natural 

 and salutary to the Insects. The Elaters feed upon the sugar- 

 cane, and should the larvae do so likewise, which is more than 

 probable from their being Xylophagous, they must do incredible 

 mischief to the Planter, as they are produced in abundance in the 

 West Indian Islands, and are very generally distributed over 

 them. Mr. Lees having taken some sugar-cane to sea with him 

 to feed the Beetles upon, he observed tl^at they readily broke the 



* Mr. G. Charlwood, F.L.S., informs me, that having been castaway whilst 

 lying off Egg Harbour, New Jersey, and being compelled to remain out all 

 night, he saw the Fire-fly, (which he is confident was an Elater, and he 

 thinks our species,) flying about from 11 o'clock at night to sun-rise, giving a 

 beautiful light ; and I was surprised to learn that he had seen them at another 

 time so far north as Boston. 



