ORDER I—BEETLES. 538 
which forms one of the constituent ingredients of their bod- 
ies, and which they can exhibit or not, at pleasure. With 
this substance this species of Beetle act very much in the 
same manner as the Chameleon and other lizards do with 
the fluids of their body, by means of which they change 
their color 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 pur- 
pose of pointing out its way in the dark, or for enabling it 
to find its companions in the night, or perhaps, by inspir- 
ing fear, to serve as a defensive weapon against its noctur- 
nal enemies, can not be exactly determined. It is certain, 
however, that this light has often frightened ignorant peo- 
ple, who were wholly unacquainted with the objects of Na- 
ture, 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 genera- 
tion be content to look at Nature ‘as through a glass dark- 
ly, 
from their eyes, and enable them to see the light radiating 
from a thousand points hitherto enshrouded with the mists 
and shadows of ignorance and superstition ! 
The grubs of the Lightning Spring Beetle, like most of 
this family, are injurious to vegetation, living in sugar-cane 
99 
when properly directed study might remove the scales 
and trees, and converting them into saw-dust. But not less 
destructive are the innumerous tribe of 
