BEETLES. 11 



by means of which they change their colour as often 

 and as rapidly as they wish. That this phosphorescent 

 substance is an ingredient of their bodies may be 

 determined by mashing them, even after death, when 

 it will be found that the same light is emitted as 

 during life, and if rubbed against any rough surface, 

 a streak of light will be produced resembling that 

 of burning phosphorus. 



Whether this light is given to this animal for the 

 purpose of pointing out its way in the dark, or for 

 enabling it to find its companions in the night, or 

 perhaps, by inspiring fear, to serve as a defensive 

 weapon against its nocturnal enemies, cannot be 

 exactly determined. It is certain, however, that this 

 light has often frightened ignorant people, who were 

 wholly unacquainted with the objects of Nature, and 

 who have actually taken these Insects for ghostly 

 spectres or the spirits of their departed friends. How 

 many like absurdities would be banished from the 

 common mind, were the study of Natural History 

 more popular, and more universally pursued ! Why 

 will the young of this generation be content to look 

 at Nature " as through a glass darkly," when properly 

 directed study might remove the scales from their 

 eyes, and enable them to see the light radiating fj-om 

 a thousand points hitherto enshrouded with the mists 

 and shadows of ignorance and superstition ! 



