168 ITALIAN LUCCIOLE. 



purple coast to the west, the last rajs of the setting sun still 

 trembled on the hills, and the moon arose in the east. To 

 these three contrasted lights was added the singular effect of 

 innumerable flying glowworms darting their momentary 

 splendour through all the streets, gardens, and rooms. We 

 used frequently to catch these little insects, and entangle them 

 in the ladies' hair and head-dresses, a decoration which the 

 women of some countries adopt for themselves." 



By the same writer is mentioned the superstitions of some 

 Moorish ladies (prisoners of the Genoese), who on a sultry 

 summer's evening shut their windows against these luminous 

 visitants, under the idea that they were the souls of departed 

 relatives. A similar notion is said to prevail amongst the 

 Italian peasantry concerning the Lucciola, and is entertained 

 by the ignorant of other countries with respect to luminous 

 insects of their own. 



Some of these glowworms of southern Europe* called 

 flying, because the beetles of both sexes, contrary to those of 

 England, sport wings have been seen, it is said, in Hertford- 

 shire ; and there is little doubt but what these, at all events, 

 might be introduced and established in our southern counties. 



Now we are at home again ! From the swamps of Guiana 

 and the jungles of India ; from the savannahs and plantations 

 of the West Indies ; from the olive-groves and vineyards of 

 southern Europe, with their noisy lantern-bearers their 



* See ' Le Lucciole.' 



