51 



Genus XIX. LAMPYRIS. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna filiform. Palpi four, unequal ; the 

 anterior with four articulations ; the posterior 

 with three. Elytra weak and flexible. Tho- 

 rax flat and semiorbicular, concealing the 

 head. Abdomen with the side plaited into 

 papillae. Female (in most species) without 

 wings. 



General Observations. 



This is a remarkable genus of insects, on ac- 

 count of the phosphoric light which the females 

 of all the species emit during the night. On the 

 under side of two or three rings of the abdo- 

 men may be seen certain yellow spots, from 

 whence in the dusk of evening proceeds a light, 

 which at a distance looks like a shining spark, 

 or very brilliant little star. The quantity of light 

 produced will be in proportion to the vigour of 

 the insect; it diminishes with its strength, and 

 is lost with its life. 



In some species, the male as well as the fe- 

 F2 



