a62 



IN VEBT£BEAT£B. 



The Glow-Worm. 



of the name of this insect is obvions, namely, the glowing light, 

 which, at a certain period of the year, emanates from its body. 

 In a dark night, these diminutive creatures shine with such bright- 

 ness, as to bear some resemblance to stars. 



The characters of the glow-worm are the following: the 

 antennae are thread-shaped ; the thorax is- plain, somewhat orbicu- 

 lar, and conceals the head : the body of the male is oblong, and 

 somewhat flatted ; the wings are shorter than the body ; the head 

 is broad, dun, and flat ■ *he eyes are large and black : the female 

 is a very slow-paced animal, bearing a very considerable resem- 

 blance to the caterpillar ; the head is small, hard, flat, black, and 

 sharp towards the mouth; its antennse are short; and it has six 

 legs of moderate length : the body is flat and composed of twelve 

 rings ; whereas, the body of the male has only five rings ; it is of 

 a dusky color, with a streak of white down the back. Though it 

 is often seen in the daytime, it cannot be properly distinguished 

 till night, when it cannot fail to attract the attention of the travel- 

 ler by the glowing light which issues from its body. It is com- 

 monly met with under hedges, and, if taken up with care, may be 



