24-2 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



attracted by the light of a flambeau, which they follow like moths, a 

 circumstance which also occurs in the glowworms. According to 

 D. Spix the light proceeds from a phosphorescent substance, con- 

 tained in a small bag in the thorax, filled with unctuous matter like 

 melted phosphorus, over which the trachea3 are spread. An interest- 

 ing memoir by Dr. Bondaroy is contained in the Mem. Acad. Scienc. 

 de Paris, 1766, upon one of these insects, probably brought to Paris 

 in wood, which caused much alarm amongst the inhabitants of the 

 Faubourg St. Antoine, where it had been seen flying about. Speci- 

 mens have also been kept alive in the perfect state during the voyage 

 from South America to England ; and in the eleventh Number of the 

 Zoological Jonrnal is contained an account by Curtis of one which was 

 brought alive to London. It fed upon wood during the passage, and it 

 was requisite to moisten the woodwork of its cage daily to preserve it 

 alive. Consult further upon these luminous species Spix and Martius, 

 Reise. ii. ; Perty in Delect. Atiim. Art. Bras. Prof. p. 7. ; Kirby and 

 Spence,vol. ii. chap, xxv., Entomol. Mag. No. 11. and 12. ; and Sells in 

 Trans. Ent. Soc. vol. i. p. 46., in which the author opposes the statement 

 of M. Laporte, that the splendidly luminous spectacle exhibited in 

 tropical climates by fire-flies is caused by Lampyridae, as well as the 

 Pyrophori ; and asserts that in Jamaica it is exclusively the latter 

 which produce it. 



The division Aphosterni (Malacodermi Latr.') is distinguished 

 from the Macrosterni(SternoxiZa/;r.) by having the prosternum neither 

 produced in front over the mouth, nor forming a point behind, except 

 in a few species (Cebrio) which evidently form the point of connection 

 between the two divisions. 



The body is generally of a soft or flexible consistence, with the 

 head much deflexed ; the antenna; of moderate length and filiform, 

 serrated or pecthiated, and the legs moderately long and slender. 



The insects are very active, flying with considerable rapidity over 

 flowers, particularly those of the whitethorn and umbelliferae. In 

 their habits, the larvte of the typical species are carnivorous, feeding 

 upon other insects or worms, whilst others feed only upon wood. The 

 structure of these insects is considerably different from that of the 

 Macrosterni, but the affinities of such families, as the carnivorous- 



