The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles 



group. There is no picture of the Glow- 

 worms themselves; not a trace either of the 

 tuft of thyme. For want of satisfactory 

 light, the glorious firework is represented by 

 a blurred splash of white on a black ground. 



The beacons of the female Glow-worms 

 are evidently nuptial signals, invitations to 

 the pairing; but observe that they are lighted 

 on the lower surface of the abdomen and face 

 the ground, whereas the summoned males, 

 whose flights are sudden and uncertain, travel 

 overhead, in the air, sometimes a great way 

 up. In its normal position, therefore, the 

 glittering lure is concealed from the eyes 

 of those concerned ; it is covered by the thick 

 bulk of the bride. The lantern ought really 

 to gleam on the back and not under the belly; 

 otherwise the light is hidden under a bushel. 



The anomaly is corrected in a very in- 

 genious fashion, for every female has her 

 little wiles of coquetry. At nightfall, every 

 evening, my caged captives make for the 

 tuft of thyme with which I have thoughtfully 

 furnished the prison and climb to the top of 

 the upper branches, those most in sight. 

 Here, instead of keeping quiet, as they did 

 at the foot of the bush just now, they indulge 

 in violent exercises, twist the tip of their very 

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