16 



these it sank and reappeared with a motion somewhat between tiying 

 and leaping .... The experienced coachman pronounced 

 it to be a Will-o'-the-Wisp." Mr. Stothard was of the opinion that 

 the supposed Ignis Fatuus was a Mole Cricket, bringing a specimen 

 from his cabinet and pointing to the structure of the wings in proof 

 of this conclusion ; for it could not fly high nor long together; the 

 habitat of the (Jri/llotol/m being the same as where this luminous 

 appearance is usually seen is another coincidence. 



Mr. Stothard's conclusions are probably influenced by Dr. 

 Sutton's experience above related. None of these accounts definitely 

 state the size of the luminous appearance, but there is no reason 

 why we should not adopt Mr. Chambers' interpretation of them as 

 being caused by some luminous insect. To these accounts may 

 be added many others of a like or similar nature. In them there 

 is nothing contrary to such a supposition ; the only difticulty is to 

 find a luminous, or apparently luminous, insect capable of produc- 

 ing such an effect. So far the only insect definitely associated with 

 the Will-o'-the-Wisp is the Mole Cricket, but against this various 

 objections have been raised. As we have seen, there is the fact that 

 this insect has never been definitely observed to be luminous. Also 

 the flight of the Mole Cricket is quite different from the actions 

 described. I have never myself observed this insect on the wing, 

 but I have no doubt of the correctness of the statement of one 

 observer who has repeatedly seen them dug out of the earth that 

 " they make a convulsive kind of leap to regain the broken ground ; 

 but this was very imperfect flight." He adds, however, " It may 

 happen at certain seasons during darkness they may exercise a 

 volant power which they do not seem to possess by day ; and from 

 the habit of their living constantly in the dark it is likely they may 

 make their distant migrations, if any, in the night." This may 

 be so, but even supposing that it is, I greatly doubt whether such 

 "volant power" would enable them to hover and flit about as 

 described. 



Then again, what lepidopterist has not on some occasion when 

 without a net seen some very desirable insect on the wing and has 

 not attempted to knock it down with his hat ? Has he then always 

 been able to find the creature which he feels sure he has knocked to 

 the ground ? From personal experience I should say not ! If then 

 it is not always easy to find an insect that one has knocked down 

 by day, what must it be after dark? I suggest in fact that the 

 labourer after knocking down his Will-o'-the-Wisp could not at first 



