LUMINOUS INSECTS. 505 
Besides the different species of the genus Lampyris, all of which, to the 
number of nearly two hundred, now divided into several distinct genera, 
are probably more or less luminous, another insect of the beetle tribe, 
Elater noctilucus, is endowed with the same property, and that in a much 
higher degree. This insect, which is called the fire-fly, and is an inch 
dong, and about one third of an inch broad, gives out its principal light from 
two transparent eye-like tubercles placed upon the thorax; but there is 
also a luminous patch in the posterior and inferior region of the meta- 
thorax, in a somewhat triangular and depressed cavity ordinarily concealed 
by the elytra, but when these are expanded in the act of flying giving out a 
more considerable but more diffused light than the thoracic reservoirs ; in 
fact the whole body is full of light, which shines out between the abdo- 
minal segments when stretched ; and being strongly reflected by the two 
basal abdominal segments, gives an appearance of the two luminous patches 
there which De Geer has described, but which do not actually exist.'_ The 
light emitted by the two thoracic tubercles alone is so considerable, that the 
smallest print may be read by moving one of these insects along the lines; 
and in the West India Islands, particularly in St. Domingo, where they are 
very common, the natives were formerly accustomed to employ these living 
lamps, which they call Cucuij, instead of candles in performing their 
evening household occupations. In travelling at night, they used to tie 
one to each great toe; and in fishing and hunting required no other flam- 
beau.? Southey has happily introduced this insect in his “ Madoc,” as 
furnishing the lamp 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 natives 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 the 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 see it, and he swingeth 
the fire-brand 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 
1 Lacordaire, Zntrod. & ? Entom. ii. 141. 
2 Pietro Martire, Zhe Decades of the New World, quoted in Madoe, p. 543. 
