HEMIPTERA. 29 



Lanternaria Chinensis, for which reason I have called it the Asiatic or Chinese Lantern- 

 carrier." Roesel being- a respectable entomological writer of his time, we must infer 

 that Fulgora Candelaria was extremely scarce in Europe when his plate and descriptions 

 were published. The commercial concerns of Europeans with the Chinese having 

 greatly increased since that period, has facilitated many inquiries concerning the natural 

 productions of China ; and amongst a variety of other insects that are now usually 

 brought from that country, specimens of Fulgora Candelaria are extremely common. In 

 China, few insects are found in greater abundance. 



Having noticed the early history of this insect, we come to consider the peculiar pro- 

 perties of its singular genus ; upon which the following observations were made by our 

 author : " Among these we find the most astonishing that insects can possess, that of ema- 

 nating light; not merely a momentary shining appearance, as is produced by many viscous 

 substances, but a clear and constant resemblance to the element fire, and capable of 

 diffusing light to surrounding objects, though totally destitute of every principle that can 

 do mischief. To the unphilosophical mind it appears at first impossible, and it cannot 

 fail to astonish the best informed ; indeed, some readers might be inclined to doubt the 

 veracity of travellers in foreign countries who have seen a vegetable* or an animal 

 produce light, if our own country could not supply us with abundant analogous proofs 

 of such phenomena. The presence of this animated phosphorus, if we may so express 

 it, is observed on several insects that are natives of England ; it is needless to enumerate 

 them, because the most striking example must be recollected by every rural inhabitant 

 or admirer of poetical simplicity : 



' On every hedge 



The glow-worm lights his gem, and through the dark 



A moving radiance twinkles.' Thomson. 



" The account which Madame Merian gave of the effect of the light produced by the 

 Fulgora Laternaria\ was greatly discredited, though Dr. Grew had related some sur- 



* An instance of this occurs in the south of Europe. An account in the Philosophical Transactions relates 

 of the Dictamnus Albus (Fraxinella), that " in the still evenings of dry seasons it emits an inflammable air, or 

 gas, and flashes at the approach of a candle. There are certain instances of human creatures who have taken 

 fire spontaneously, and been totally consumed." 



f The account which Madame Merian has given of the light of the Fulgora Laternaria is so surprising, 

 that it will certainly prove acceptable to many readers. It is indeed a digression from the account of Fulgora 

 Candelaria, but will tend to prove, that insects of this genus emit a more vivid light than any of the illuminated 

 kinds hitherto known. 



" Once," says Madame Merian, " when the Indians brought me a number of these Lantern-carriers, I put 



