THE LANTERN FLY. 



73:-5 



general culour is green. The upper wings are pale green, witli 

 he nervnres of the lower surface traced in a hrighter green, and 



the lower wings are translucent and iridescent. Three species 

 of this genus are known, all Australian. 



The accompanying illustration represents one of the most 

 extraordinary of the insect race, the celebrated Lantern Fly, 

 respecting whose luminosity a fierce controversy has long raged. 

 When Madame Merian first described this insect, she mentioned 

 very graphically its wonderfully luminous properties. Succeed- 

 ing observers, however, flatly denied the luminosity, and attri- 

 l)uted it to mere invention on the part of Madame Merian. 



The conflicting accounts, however, can be easily reconciled. 

 In all luminous insects the luminosity is capricious, and only 

 endures for a certain time, so that many persons might observe 

 the Lantern Fly carefully and never see its luminosity. There is, 

 however, no doubt that the creature is luminous, as is shown by 

 the fact that a description of the insect has been written by its 



