THE GLOWWORM. 



and blinds, or winkers, are so fixed at the sides of 

 his eyes as greatly to impede the view of all lateral 

 objects. (See Plate 5, Fig, 2.) The chief end of 

 this creature in his nightly peregrinations is to seek 

 his mate, always beneath him on the earth ; and 

 hence this apparatus appears designed to facilitate 

 his search, confining his view entirely to what is 

 before or below him. The first serves to direct his 

 flight, the other presents the object of his pursuit : 

 and as we commonly, and with advantage, place 

 our hand over the brow, to obstruct the rays of 

 light falling from above, which enables us to see 

 clearer an object on the ground, so must the pro- 

 jecting hood of this creature converge the visual 

 rays to a point beneath. This is a very curious 

 provision for the purposes of the insect, if my 

 conception of its design be reasonable. Possibly 

 the same ideas may have been brought forward by 

 others ; but, as I have not seen them, I am not 

 guilty of any undue appropriation, and no injury 

 can be done to the cause I wish to promote, by 

 detailing again such beautiful and admirable con- 

 trivances. 



Glowworms emit light only for a short period in 

 the year; and I have but partially observed it 

 after the middle of July. I have collected many 

 of these pretty creatures on a bank before my house, 

 into which they retire during the winter, to shine 

 out again when revived by the summer's warmth ; 



