Al 4 LUMINOUS INSECTS. 
by which Coatel rescued the British hero from the hands 
of the Mexican priests. 
“‘ She beckon’d and descended, and drew out 
From underneath her vest a cage, or net 
It rather might be call’d, so fine the twigs 
Which knit it, where, confined, two Fire-flies gave 
Their lustre. By that light did Madoc first 
Behold the features of his lovely guide.” 
Pietro Martire tells us that the Cucuij serve the na- 
tives of the Spanish West India islands not only instead 
of candles, but as extirpators of the gnats, which are 
a dreadful pest to the inhabitants of the low grounds. 
They introduce a few fire-flies, to which the gnats are 
a grateful food, into their houses, and by means of these. 
“‘commodious hunters” are soon rid of the intruders. 
‘How they are a remedy,” says this author, “ for so 
great a mischiefe it is a pleasant thing to hear. Hee who 
understandeth he hath those troublesome guestes (the 
gnattes) at home, diligently hunteth after the Cucuij. 
Whoso wanteth Cucuij goeth out of the house in the 
first twilight of the night, carrying a burning fire-brande 
in his hande, and ascendeth the next hillock that the 
Cucuij may seeit, and hee swingeth the fire-brande about, 
calling Cucuius aloud, and beating the ayre with often 
calling out Cucuie, Cucuie.” He goes on to observe, that 
the simple people believe the insect is attracted by their 
invitations; but that, for his part he is rather inclined to 
think that the fire is the magnet. Having obtained a 
sufficient number of Cucuij, the beetle-hunter returns 
home and lets them fly loose in the house, where they 
diligently seek the gnats about the beds and the faces of 
those asleep, and devour them?.—These insects are also 
« P. Martire, ud% supr. 
