BEETLES. 75 



two shining emeralds. But besides these spots, it 

 also emits light from every segment of the under 

 side of its hind body. This light the animal can 

 produce at pleasure, and when there are eight or ten 

 of them in one glass, it is strong enough to enable a 

 person to read by it. 



, Some months since, a lady of this city presented 

 me two of these living Lightning-beetles, which she 

 had received from Cuba. I kept them in a glass, 

 and exhibited them in a dark room to several of my 

 friends, who were much astonished and delighted at 

 being able to see to read by the light issuing from 

 them. I nourished them with great care, feeding 

 them with sugar, their favourite food, but they died 

 in about ten days, and with their life disappeared also 

 their light. 



I feel peculiarly grateful to these little Insects, 

 because during my excursions in St. Domingo they 

 were frequently the means of saving my life. . Often 

 has dark night surrounded me in the midst of a desert 

 forest, or on the mountains, when these little animals 

 were my only guide, and by their welcome light I 

 have discovered a path for my horse which has led 

 me safely on my journey. Often have I felt grateful 

 to a wise Providence for the creation of the^e little 

 night-illuminators, when all the lamps of heaven were 

 shrouded with impenetrable darkness, and when, but 



