THE CUCUJO. 



471 



more 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 long a period, whether 

 as egg, larva, pupa, or perfect insect was not ascertained. The word Buprestis 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 Bugaetll. 



aoctlluca, (Male.) 



CUCUJO. Pyrophorus lumlnosus. 



THE right-hand figure on the illustration represents the celebrated Cucujo, 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 forest, 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 sud- 

 denly 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 Elateridae, 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. 



