NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Observations. 



selves in motion. This would seem to indicate 

 that their light is owing to their respiration ; in 

 which process, it is probable, phosphoric acid is 

 produced by the combination of oxygen gas with 

 some part of the blood, and that a light is given 

 out through their transparent bodies by this 

 slow internal combustion. By contracting them- 

 selves, the insects have a power of entirely with- 

 drawing it: when they are at rest very little 

 light is to be seen. Mr. Templer, who made 

 many observations on these insects, says that he 

 never saw a glow-worm exhibit its light at all, 

 without some sensible motion either in its body 

 or legs. This gentleman, when the light was 

 most brilliant, fancied it emitted a sensible heat. 

 If the insect be crushed, and the hands or 

 face are rubbed with it, they contract a luminous 

 appearance similar to that produced from phos- 

 phorus. When a glew-worm is put into a phial, 

 and the pUial is immersed in water, a very beau- 

 tifu} irradiation will take place. 



THE EARWIG. 



THE antennae of this tribe are bristle-shaped, 

 and the feelers unequal and thread-shaped. This 

 insect^ though it may not be suspected by the 

 generality of observers, is possessed of wings 

 which are both large and elegant, and one of 

 these ; when extended, will nearly cover the 



