432 Mr. W. L. Distant on the Family Fulgoridse. 
(Micrococcus phosphoreus ?) ; and that these possessed 
the luminous properties was proved by infecting non- 
luminous crustaceans with such organisms, when the 
infected specimens of Talitrus became also luminous. 
Arguing from these premises, Herr Schmidt concludes 
from the spasmodic manner in which luminosity appears 
in these Midges; from the non-localisation of the light 
and its appearance even on dead specimens ; from the 
weak and sickly condition of a Midge which has become 
luminous ; from the non- discovery of any luminous 
organs, and by the males and females being both able 
to acquire the same character^ that the analogy with 
Talitrus is complete, and that both animals owe their 
luminous qualities to an infection by luminous micro- 
organisms. 
We may now return to the observation of Madame 
Merian on her captured Lantern-flies, supported by a 
similar sight witnessed by the friend of M. Wesmael; 
when a like explanation of luminous properties by the 
aid of micro-organisms is at least very suggestive. These 
would account for the rarity of the phenomenon, as with 
the Midges and the Talitrus, and though we have no 
positive evidence to support such a conclusion, it at 
least suggests a known cause for the reconcilement of 
Madame Merian's observation with absolute truth ; nay, 
more, opens a door for fresh investigation in one of the 
many unworked paths of entomology. 
That the Fulgoridse are liable to the visits of parasites, 
was proved before the Society some years ago by 
Prof. Westwood, who described a Lepidopteral pupa 
found in the abdominal waxy- secretion of a species of 
Eastern Fulgora. 
