THE FIRE FLY. 389 



Genus XIX. — Lavipyrls, 'The Firs Fly, 



T^HESE infers are charaflerlfed by filiform antenna, 

 flexible elytra, a round flattened thorax, fnrrounding and 

 concealing the head ; the females are, in mod fpecies, 

 witliout wings |. It is the female of one fpecies of thefe 

 infers that is in this country termed the glow-worm, 

 from that phofphorefcent light which it emits during 

 night. Two or three of thefe animals inclofed in a glafs 

 vafe, will give alight fuff.cient to enable a perfon to read 

 in the darkefl: night. 



This fingular phenomenon is obferved moll frequently 

 in the month of June, when the animal is in motion. 

 The female can withdraw or difplay this light at plea- 

 fure, by contrafting or unfolding her body ; her purpofe 

 in {hewing it is faid to be in order to attract the male. 

 When crufhed with the hanci, this luminous fubftance of 

 the glow-worm auiieres to it, and continues to fl:iine till 

 it is dried up. 



The no6liluca, or glow-worm, in its Infeft form, pof- 

 feffes elytra, and wings under them, longer than the body. 

 The head and antenna are black ; the former entirely 

 concealed by the broad plate of tlie thorax. The four 

 \a^ rings of the abdomen, which emit the light, are in 

 the male not fo bright as thofe of the female, and are, 

 nearly deflitute of that luminating quality which renders 

 her fo remarkable j. 



I Syft. Nat. p. 043. I Barbut, p. (2. 



