134 



THE UNIVERSE. 



like resplendent jewels, they give a most fairy-like aspect 

 to their heads. The negresses at their nocturnal dances 



78. Beetle Cage or Lustre for Illumination. 



scatter these brilliant insects over the robes of lace which 

 nature provides for them, all woven from the bark of the 



70. The Luminous Beetle of tlie Antilles — EJater noctilucus. 



Lagetto. In their rapid and lascivious movements they 

 seem enveloped in a robe of fire. It is the conflagration 

 of Dejanira without the horror.^ 



1 Though sometimes called the Great Lanteni "Firefly, it is quite distinct 

 from the Firefly {EUifer noctilucus), which belongs to the click-beetles, aud is 

 also said to be used by the Indians to -n-ork or travel by. As recently, however, 

 as 1858 Dr. J. A. Smith e.xhibited a specimen of the Fulgora to the Eoyal 

 Physical Society of Edinburgh, and stated that it was still an undecided question 

 among naturalists whether these flies are really luminous; and in the Zoologist 

 for 1863, Mr. R. .Jeffry of New Grenada says that it gives no light, and that he 



