304 STRENGTH OF INSECTS. 



light of an individual, which did not seem to be 

 the result of will, but produced by situation. 

 During the time the insect crawled along the 

 ground, or upon the fine grass, the glow was hid- 

 den ; but on its mounting any little blade, or sprig 

 of moss, it turned round and presented the lumi- 

 nous caudal spot, which, on its falling or regaining 

 its level, was hidden again. 



Few animals seem feebler and less disposed to 

 action than the female glowworm, yet scarcely any 

 one is more uneasy in confinement, nor more suc- 

 cessful in effecting its escape. Inclosed under a cup, 

 or in any common box, if there is the least crevice, 

 it will force its way through and depart before 

 the ensuing morning, especially if confined late in 

 the season ; and this it appears to ' effect by its 

 strength and the ability it possesses of contraction. 

 As the faculties or powers bestowed upon creatures 

 are not given them for any useless display, but to 

 accomplish some immediate necessity, or remote 

 requirement, we must consider the strength pos- 

 sessed by some insects as subservient to their pecu- 

 liar habits. Many insects are endowed with re- 

 markable muscular powers, the common MeloL 

 vulg. (chafer), the Geotrupes ster. (dorr), held 

 in the hand or placed under a weight, manifest 

 prodigious strength. The first, a creature perfected 

 beneath and inclosed in the soil, requires great 

 power to liberate itself from confinement, which, 

 probably, had it been more feeble, it would not 

 have been enabled to do ; and the perforations re- 



