162 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



parts of the body, as well as the legs, are brownish 

 black, and covered with pubescence of a somewhat 

 lighter hue. 



This insect is pretty widely distributed over the 

 intertropical countries of South America, and the 

 West Indian islands. When it walks or is at rest, 

 the principal light which it emits issues from the 

 two yellow tubercles placed at the lateral margins 

 of the thorax ; but when the wings and elytra are 

 expanded in the act of flight, another luminous 

 spot is disclosed in the hinder part of the thorax. 

 This luminosity is so considerable, that it is often 

 employed in the countries where it prevails as a 

 substitute for artificial lights. A single insect is 

 sufficient to enable a person to decipher the 

 smallest written character, and when several are 

 brought together, their light is said to suffice for all 

 the ordinary evening occupations of an Indian's 

 dwelling. They are employed for many useful pur- 

 poses ; the Indians are said to have formerly used 

 them instead of flambeaux in their hunting and fish- 

 ing expeditions, and when travelling in the night 

 they were accustomed to fasten them to their feet 

 and hands. Another important service is rendered 

 by these insects in destroying the gnats and mus- 

 quitoes, which abound in tropical countries to the 

 incessant annoyance of the inhabitants. Like most 

 'other animals of nocturnal habits, the fire-flies are 

 attracted by strong light, and the Indians avail 

 themselves of this circumstance to obtain them for 



