56 ON THE LUMINOSITY 



my learned friend advance this as a new discovery ? In faith 

 he does : he calls aloud to us in a voice of wonder, 



" Like Katerfelto with his hair on end, 



At his own wonders wondering for his bread,—" 



that Lampyris and Elater are luminous insects ! Most pre- 

 cious discovery ! most wondrous and learned Delta ! and at 

 this you cry, Evpt] K a. (Mr. Douleday, No! that Fulgora is 

 not luminous, that is the point.) O, indeed ! Then, Sir, the 

 learned ex-editor, and author of the Delta Letters, did not con- 

 fine himself to the point ; all the pleasing quotations about 

 fire-flies were not to the point, were beside the mark. But 

 what is the question ? If I understand it rightly it is this : — 

 Is the insect which stands as figure-head of the fire-fly 

 luminous or not luminous ? The insect is called Fulgora 

 candelaria. Is it luminous or not luminous? Is that the 

 question, Mr. Chairman ? Very well, Sir! then I maintain 

 that as it is luminous by common consent, it must remain 

 luminous until proved to be not luminous. Now, Sir, the 

 learned ex-editor and author of the Delta Letters, as far as I 

 heard him, made no allusion, directly or indirectly, to Ful- 

 gora candelaria ; and therefore his speech, however able, 

 however perfect, however convincing, however comforting, 

 however learned, leaves the main question entirely un- 

 touched. (Mr. Doubleday, I will withdraw the motion.) 

 Oh ! withdraw the motion ; the Chairman cannot permit it 

 until we have just examined the matter. I am only beginning 

 to peep into it. (Mr. Doubleday, I have had quite enough.) 

 Well, well, we will make a tack. The learned ex-editor, 

 Sir, proves the non-luminosity of Fulgora candelaria, by 

 stating, that Madame Merian had a poetic fancy ; and he thus 

 proves her ladyship's taste for poetry. Madame Merian says, 

 that some insects, not Fulgora candelaria, shone in the 

 box. She opened the box, they fell on the floor, and still 

 shone. To contradict this, a Frenchman is cited, and he most 

 distinctly states, that the insects are phosphorescent as soon as 

 dead. Now, why were not Madame Merian's insects dead ? 

 and if dead, they had as much right to shine as the French- 

 man's fire-flies. Surely this is but slender proof of the poetry 

 of Madame Merian. I observe, Sir, my friend, the learned 

 ex-editor, is not inclined to press the matter ; and I have, 



