230 INSECT MISCELLANIES. 



{Scolopendra elecirica), which is by no means un- 

 common, though its Hght is seldom seen, in con- 

 sequence of its hving in holes or under ground, from 

 which it is seldom roused during the night. We 

 have, however, more than once seen it in out-houses, 

 or crawling along a path-way, upon which it sometimes 

 leaves a track of phosphoric matter that may be lifted. 

 On two different occasions we collected some of this, 

 but it disappeared, probably by evaporation, before 

 we could subject it to chemical analysis.* 



Electric centipede (Scolopcndra dcctrica.) 



It does not seem to be yet satisfactorily ascertained 

 to what cause is to be ascribed the beautiful pheno- 

 menon of the sparkling light so frequently seen at 

 night in the waters of the sea, though the most 

 prevalent opinion is, that it arises from marine 

 insects, or crustaceous or molluscous animalcules, 

 among which the shining crab {Cancer fidgens, &c,) 

 has been particularized, apparently more from con- 

 jecture than observation. It is very improbable 

 indeed that any species of crab would be so abundant, 



* J. R. 



