On ihe Phofpborefcence of the Litcicle, 29 
the Interior part of the luminous vifcera. When the fhining 
is at its greateft degree of height, it is fo flrong that a per- 
fon may by it eafily diftinguifh the hours on the fmalleft 
watch, and the letters of any type whatever. 
* The phofphorie part of the luciole does not extend 
farther than to the exireme rings of the belly. It is there 
enclofed in a covering compofed of two portions of mem- 
branes, one of which forms the upper, and the other the 
lower part of the belly, and which are joined together. 
Behind this receptacle is placed the phofphorus, which re- 
fembles a pafte, having the fmell of garlic, and very little 
tafte. The phofphoric matter iflues from a fort of bag 
on the flighteft preflure; when fqueezed out, this matter 
Jofes its fplendour in a few hours, and is converted into 
a white dry fubftance. A portion of the phofphoric belly 
put into oil, fhone only with a feeble light, and was foon 
extinguifhed. In water, a like portion fhone with the fame 
Vivacity as in the air, and for a much longer time. The 
_ author thence concludes that the phofphorefcence of the. 
luciole is not the effect of flow inflammation, nor of the 
fixation of azotic gaz as Geettling thinks, as the oil in 
which they fhine does not contain a fingle air-bubble: 
befides, the phofphorus of thefe infects fhines in a barometri- 
cal wacuum. The obfervation made by Fofter, that the 
luciole diffufed a more vivid light in oxygen gaz than in 
atmofpheric air, does not, according to Carradori, depend 
upon a combuftion more animated by the infpiration of this 
gaz, but on the animals feeling themfelves, while in that 
gaz, ina better condition. ‘ Whence then arifes,” fays 
the author, “ the phofphoric light of the luciole? I am of 
opinion,” adds he, * that the light is peculiar and innate in 
thefe infeéts, as feveral other productions are peculiar to 
other animals. As fome animals have the faculty of ac- 
eumulating the electric fluid, and of keeping it condenfed in 
particular organs, to diffufe it afterwards at pleafure, there 
may be other animals endowed with the faculty of keeping 
in 
