58 LIVING LIGHTS. 



was fluid and very adhesive ; little spots, where the skin had 

 been torn, continued bright with a slight scintillation, whilst 

 the uninjured parts were obscured. When the insect was 

 decapitated, the rings remained uninterruptedly bright, but 

 not so brilliant as before. Local irritation with a needle 

 always increased the vividness of the light. The rings in 

 one instance retained their luminous property nearly twenty- 

 four hours after the death of the insect. From these facts it 

 would appear probable that the animal has only the power 

 of concealing or extinguishing the light for short intervals, 

 and that at other times the display is voluntary. On the 

 muddy and wet gravel walks, I found the larvce of Lampyris 

 in great numbers. They resembled in general form the 

 female of the English glow-worm. These larvce possessed 

 but feeble luminous powers ; and on the slightest touch they 

 feigned death, and ceased to shine ; nor did irritation excite 

 any fresh display." 



