LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 235 



pletely covered by these hard cases, that you 

 would not suspect their existence. 



The most interesting thing about the fire-fly 

 is the beautiful greenish-yellow light which you 

 see it at this moment emitting, and which pro- 

 ceeds from a quantity of yellow matter contained 

 in the lower part of the body. It has the power 

 of kindling and extinguishing this light at plea- 

 sure; now it is gone now it brightens up again. 

 It is particularly brilliant after slight showers of 

 rain. 



Naturalists have had various conjectures as 

 to the design of this curious light, but have not 

 been able to come to any satisfactory conclusion 

 respecting it. It is doubtless of some use to the 

 insect ; and I think it is not unreasonable to 

 suppose that He, who has made all things so 

 beautiful, has lighted up these little lamps to 

 increase the cheerfulness of Nature when other 

 beauties are hidden by the darkness. They add 

 greatly to the enjoyment of an evening walk in 

 the country, and even our city gardens are 

 brightened by their presence. While flowers 

 pour out their delicious fragrance, and Katy- 

 dids and Crickets sing their evening song, these 



