212 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 
gourami, as I learn it seldom, if ever, drops below 70° F. At 
the date of my inspection (June 17, 1911), after an unusually long 
drought, there was 35 feet of water at the outlet, shelving up to 
a few inches at the intake—an admirable condition for breeding 
purposes. 
There appear to be two natural enemies present, namely, the 
Indian otter and the fresh-water tortoise, but I do not consider either 
are sufficiently plentiful to constitute a serious menace, though unless 
checked they may become so. 
I am further of opinion that gourami, if allowed to reach the age 
of 9 to 12 months, would thrive well in the large lake at Kandy, 
but the great number of tortoises there renders successful breeding 
problematical. At present the reservoir contains no fish beyond a 
few small carp, probably Barbus mehecola (black spot), B. pinnau- 
ratus, and Rasbora daniconius. 
The fact that this water is close to Peradeniya is a further favour- 
able circumstance, since any experiments that may be decided upon 
can be supervised by the Government Entomologist or other member 
of the Peradeniya staff. Further, the reservoir being enclosed and 
in charge of watchers night and day, the danger of poaching or other 
interference is reduced to a minimum. 
A. H. PERTWEE. 
26. On the Occasional Luminosity of the Beetle ‘‘ Harmatelia 
bilinea.”—This small beetle (shown in the figure as magnified about 
6 diameters) is extremely abundant, at certain times of the year, 
in many parts of Ceylon. It may be found resting upon the leaves 
of various shrubs in the jungle, and is often seen on the wing. 
It is noticeable on account of its remarkable pectinated antenne, 
and may be further distinguished by two conspicuous longitudinal 
ochreous stripes (one on each elytron) on a black ground. 
Although this beetle has been included by Olivier amongst the 
Lampyridee (fireflies and glow worms), nothing appears to be known 
about its luminous properties. I have frequently examined living 
examples of Harmatelia, but have never observed the faintest trace 
of luminosity, nor does the abdomen show any conspicuous photo- 
genic organ such as is noticeable on the under surface of all the 
typical fireflies. But that it can, on occasion, produce an appre- 
ciable light is proved by the following observation of Mr. John Pole, 
who, in sending me a specimen of the insect, asks if I am aware that 
it “ gives light at night like a firefly.” He reports that, one evening, 
at 7.30, in a mist and with a clouded moon, he “ caught the animal, 
alight, on a tea bush, and boxed it as a small firefly.” He adds that 
the light paled out before he reached home. The insect was kept 
