334 



LUMINOUS INSECTS. 



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. u 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 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 and the faces of those asleep, and devour them. 1 — 

 These insects are also applied to purposes of decoration. On 

 certain festival days, in the month of June, they are col- 

 lected in great numbers, and tied all over the garments of 

 the young people, who gallop through the streets on horses 

 similarly ornamented, producing on a dark evening the effect 

 of a large moving body of light. On such occasions the 

 lover displays his gallantry by decking his mistress with these 

 living gems. 2 And according to P. Martire, " many wanton 

 wilde fellowes " rub their faces with the flesh of a killed 

 Cucuius, as boys with us use phosphorus, " with purpose to 

 meet their neighbours with a flaming countenance," and 

 derive amusement from their fright. 



Besides Elater noctilucus, E. ignitus and several others of 



1 P. Martire, ubi supr. Dr. Burmeister disbelieves this account, because 

 Elaters are not carnivorous, but feed upon nectar and pollen (Manual, 492. ) ; but 

 considering what numerous exceptions we are constantly finding occur to all 

 such supposed general rules, it seems premature to reject on such grounds the 

 very circumstantial details of P. Martire. In the same way as some of the 

 CarabidcE and Coccinellidce have been ascertained to feed on vegetable food, though 

 both families are in general carnivorous, it may be found that some of the Elatc- 

 rida; prefer an animal diet and will eat gnats. 



2 Walton's Present State of the Spanish Colonies, i. 128. 



