THE LANTKKN FLY. 



733 



general colour is green. The upper wings are pale green, with 

 he nervures of the lower surface traced in a brighter green, and 



Fig. 473.— Cystosoma Saundersii. 



(Pale green.) 



the lower wings are translucent and iridescent. Three species 

 of this genus are known, all Australian. 



The accompanying illustration represents one of the most 

 extraordinary of the insect race, the celebrated Lantern Fly, 

 respecting whose luminosity a fierce controversy has long raged. 

 When Madame Merian first described this insect, she mentioned 

 very graphically its wonderfully luminous properties. Succeed- 

 ing observers, however, flatly denied the luminosity, and attri- 

 buted it to mere invention on the part of Madame Merian. 



The conflicting accounts, however, can be easily reconciled. 

 In all luminous insects the luminosity is capricious, and only 

 endures for a certain time, so that many persons might observe 

 the Lantern Fly carefully and never see its luminosity. There is, 

 however, no doubt that the creature is luminous, as is shown by 

 the fact that a description of the insect has been written by its 



