ORDER I BEETLES. 53 



which forms one of the constituent ingredients of their bod- 

 ies, and which they can exhibit or not, at pleasure. With 

 this substance this species of Beetle act very much in the 

 same manner as the Chameleon and other lizards do with 

 the fluids of their body, by means of which they change 

 their color as often and as rapidly as they wish. That this 

 phosphorescent substance is an ingredient of their bodies 

 may be determined by mashing them, even after death, 

 when it will be found that the same light is emitted as 

 during life, and if rubbed against any rough surface a 

 streak of light will be produced resembling that of burning 

 phosphorus. 



Whether this light is given to this animal for the pur- 

 pose of pointing out its way in the dark, or for enabling it 

 to find its companions in the night, or perhaps, by inspir- 

 ing fear, to serve as a defensive weapon against its noctur- 

 nal enemies, can not be exactly determined. It is certain, 

 however, that this light has often frightened ignorant peo- 

 ple, who were wholly unacquainted with the objects of Na- 

 ture, and who have actually taken these insects for ghostly 

 spectres or the spirits of their departed friends. How many 

 like absurdities would be banished from the common mind 

 were the study of Natural Plistory more popular and more 

 universally pursued ! Why will the young of this genera- 

 tion be content to look at Nature " as through a glass dark- 

 ly," when properly directed study might remove the scales 

 from their eyes, and enable them to see the light radiating 

 from a thousand points hitherto enshrouded with the mists 

 and shadows of ignorance and superstition ! 



The grubs of the Lightning Spring Beetle, like most of 

 this family, are injurious to vegetation, living in sugar-cane 

 and trees, and converting them into saw-dust. But not less 

 destructive are the innumerous tribe of 



