THE CUCUJO. 



471 



than twenty years. The wood was afterwards planed carefully away, and the track of the 

 larva was laid open. In what state the creature passed so Ions a period, whether as egg, 

 larva, pupa, or perfect insect was not ascertained. The word Bupreatia literally signifies 

 Bull-burster, and was given to these beetles by the ancients, who thought that when they 

 settled upon cattle their presence was so injurious as to cause the bodies of their victims 

 to burst asunder. 



CHRYSOCHROA. Chrysochroa Bugnetii. 

 GLOWWORM. Lampyris noctiluca. (Male.) 



CUCUJO. Pyrdphorus lumindsta. 



THE right-hand figure on the illustration represents the celebrated CucuJ-o, or FIRE- 

 FLY OF BRAZIL. At each side of the base of the thorax may be observed two light patches, 

 which in the living insect are of a pale yellow, and at night burn with a lustre far 

 surpassing that of the glowworm of England. When the insect expands its wings for 

 flight two more fire-spots are seen beneath the elytra ; and when the creature approaches 

 near the observer, the whole interior of its body seems to be incandescent. These insects 

 are nocturnal in their habits, and at night in the forests, when the air is filled with myriads 

 of blazing stars, crossing and recrossing in every direction, making the deepest glades 

 luminous with their flaming lamps, and appearing and vanishing as if suddenly brought 

 into existence and as suddenly annihilated, they present a sight almost too magnificent 

 for description. So splendid are these beetles, that the ladies are often in the habit of 

 catching them and trimming their dresses with these living diamonds, taking care to 

 fasten them in such a way as not to injure them. 



When in full glow, the light is so intense that a letter or a book may be read by its 

 aid, provided that the insect be slightly squeezed so as to excite it to throw out the 

 luminous element. There are very many species of Fire-flies, but this is the best known, 

 and one of the most luminous of its kind. Mr. Westwood mentions that one of these 

 insects was brought in a living state to London, and was kept alive by continually 

 moistening the woodwork of its cage. 



The Elateridse, or Spring Beetles, so well known from their habit of jumping with a 

 slight clicking sound when laid on their backs, are allied to the Buprestis beetles. 



