COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 173 



svith the two terminal segments white, slightly 

 tinged with yellow. 



This species is very abundant throughout the 

 southern parts of Europe, particularly in Italy, 

 where it is named Lucciola. Contrary to what is 

 observed in the British Glow-worm, both sexes are 

 provided with wings. When the insect either 

 perches or creeps little light is therefore perceptible, 

 but it becomes obvious as soon as the wing-cases 

 are opened for flight. It is not however constant, 

 but has a kind of scintillating appearance, recur- 

 ring at every other instant, as if disclosed by the 

 opening of the wings at each successive expansion. 

 When the insect is laid upon its back, a position 

 from which it cannot easily recover itself, the light 

 is steady and unvarying. It is of considerable in- 

 tensity in a single insect, and when three or four 

 are brought together, it is sufficient to render the 

 smallest objects around quite visible. It is appa- 

 rent in the twilight, but is not fully displayed till the 

 darkness is confirmed. It then becomes a pheno- 

 menon of some interest and beauty, as the insects 

 are so numerous and active that their luminous 

 tracks through the air can be traced in all direc- 

 tions, 



Upward and downward, thwarting and convolved ; 



and they spangle the shrubs and herbage with 

 Innumerable radiant points. Their appearance and 

 effect in the neighbourhood of Genoa, is thus de- 

 scribed by Sir J. E. Smith : On the eve of St John 



