THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 135 



Science has not satisfactorily explained the colouring 

 and secretions found in certain insects, and has only been 

 moderately successful in the search, in the outer world, 



80. Isegro Hut ligliteil up with Luminous Beetles. 



after all the elements of the mysterious phenomena of the 

 organism, which will possibly, for a long time, conceal from 

 us the secrets of its composition. 



How does the cochineal of Nopal find in the green juices 

 of the cactus which nourishes it, the magnificent red 

 colour, the carmine, which inflates its whole body? 



imagines the use of the dia]5hanous projection on its head, from which it takes 

 its name, is to prevent the insect from knocking against hard substances in the 

 night. The same discrepancy of opinion l:ias been olsserved with respect to the 

 Chinese candle-beetle {Hotinus canddarius), which is said to emit at intervals a 

 brilliant greenish light, and even to have been captured by Count d'Enzenberg 

 in this state; whereas Sir John Bowring, who made such a splendid collection 

 of beetles during his many years' residence in China, never saw any luminosity 

 about it. The reader will find these beetles beautifully represented in a coloured 

 engraving in the first volume of Nature and Art. — Tr. 



