COLEOPTEKOTTS INSECTS. 161 



the luminous matter is an elongated projection from 

 the head, in the form of a rostrum or snout, which 

 Is dilated in one of the species (Fulgora lanterna- 

 rid) into a figure not unlike a mitre, and in others 

 is fantastically adorned with knobs and spines ; 

 through this organ the light is suffused in a lambent 

 effulgence of considerable brilliancy. These insects, 

 however, belong to the order ITemiptera, and their 

 history does not fall within the scope of the present 

 notice. 



The species of fire-fly that affords the finest exhi- 

 bition of this interesting phenomenon, is named 



ELATER NOCTILUCUS. 



PLATE VII. Fig. 1. 

 Pyroporus noctiluca, Dejean. 



It is upwards of an inch long, and one third of an 

 inch broad. The colour is a uniform obscure blackish 

 brown, and the body is everywhere covered with 

 a short light-brown pubescence. The thorax is 

 pretty convex, and there are two small depressions 

 (at least in one of the sexes) on the surface before 

 the middle ; the hinder angles are produced into a 

 strong conical spine, and between the hinder angle 

 and the middle there is placed on each side a smooth 

 convex round spot of a yellow colour. The elytra 

 are indistinctly marked with rows of small punctures, 

 which are most obvious at the base. The under 



