1 64 tfATTJEAL HISTOEY OF 



deavour to terrify children, or women who are easily 



frighted/' &c. 



During the splendour of a tropical sunshine — 



the long, sunny lapse of a summer day's light 



Shining on, shining on — 



the sombre hues of the fire-flies attract but little at- 

 tention amidst the infinite variety of living beings 

 of more imposing form and attractive manners that 

 people to overflowing these prolific lands, while 

 every lesser light is lost in the effulgency of " re- 

 dundant day." But no sooner do the lofty and 

 umbrageous trees begin to throw their shadows 

 across the landscape, than occasional specks of light 

 are seen to flit amidst the growing obscurity. As 

 the darkness increases, these become more nume- 

 rous ; they mount into the air and shoot athwart the 

 gloom like igneous meteors, and when the underwood 

 is disturbed they rise in such numbers that they span- 

 gle the air as with a thousand stars. The brilliancy 

 of this spectacle, so far transcending any similar ap- 

 pearance witnessed in temperate climates, seldom 

 fails to excite the admiration of an European tra- 

 veller. Its effect on some British visitors has been 

 thus described : 



Sorrowing, we beheld 



The night come on ; but soon did night display 

 More wonders than it veiled ; innumeroua tribes 

 From the wood-cover swarmed, and darkness made 

 Their beauties visible ; one while they streamed 

 A bright blue radiance upon flowers that closed 



