LUMINOUS INSECTS. 413 



shire, is winged ; and Avhen a number of these moving 

 stars are seen to dart throuo^h the air in a dark ni^ht, 

 nothing can have a more beautiful effect. Dr. Smith 

 tells us that the beaus of Italy are accustomed in an 

 evening to adorn the heads of the ladies with these ar- 

 tificial diamonds by sticking them into their hair ; and 

 a similar custom, as I have before informed you% pre- 

 vails amongst the ladies of India. 



Besides the different species of the genus Lampi/ris, 

 all of which are probably more or less luminous, an- 

 other insect of the beetle tribe, Elater noctilucus, is en- 

 dowed with the same property, and that in a much 

 higher degree. This insect, which is an inch long 

 and about one-third of an inch broad, gives out its 

 principal light from two transparent eye-like tubercles 

 placed upon the thorax ; but there are also two lumi- 

 nous patches concealed under the elytra, which are not 

 visible except when the insect is flying, at which time 

 it appears adorned with four brilliant gems of the mo?t 

 beautiful golden-blue lustre : in fact, the whole body is 

 full of light, which shines out between the abdominal 

 segments when stretched. The light emitted by tke 

 two thoracic tubercles alone is so considerable^ that 

 the smallest print may be read by moving one of these 

 insects along the lines : and in the AVest India islands, 

 particularly in St. Domingo, w here they are very cora- 

 iimn, the natives were formerly accustomed to employ 

 iJiese living lamps, which they called Cucuij\ instead of 

 candles in performing their evening household occupa- 

 tions. In travelling at night they used to tie one to 

 each great toe ; and in fishing and hunting required no 



» Vol. I. 2(1 Ed. .-J 16. 



