Composts. 327 
the flitting and moving lights of these insects in the woods im- 
pressed them with the idea that the Spaniards were advancing, 
and they returned in consequence to their ships. — [Murray's Re- 
searches in JVat. Hid.) Eight or ten of these insects put into a 
phial will yield a light equal to that from a common candle; and 
it is said that this was the only light used by the natives of His- 
paniola, &,c., prior to the arrival of the Spaniards." This species 
is not the only one of the genus that is used in this way. We 
are told that the ladies in India inclose the fiery beetles in gauze, 
and thus carry them in their hair when they take their evening 
walks. Mrs. Ashmole says that at night time the fiery beetle will 
cause some alarm to the stranger in India, when its bright glow 
is discovered amidst the folds of a delicate white muslin garment. 
Mr. Turnbull tells us that luminous insects are numerous in Cuba, 
and that a dozen of the large fiery beetle, called the coc.uyo, will, 
when enclosed in a cage, emit so much light, of a brilliant green 
color, as to enable you to read by it; and that the late clever and 
excentric Mr. Joseph of Trinidad, is stated to have written several 
volumes by this light. The insects, he adds, may be preserved 
alive for three months or more, provided they are frequently bathed, 
and their favorite food — a piece of sugar-cane, stripped of its bark 
— renewed at least daily. — Turnhults Travels. 
The space forbids us pursuing this subject further for the pre- 
sent. We shall, however, recur to it again in our next number. 
COMPOSTS. 
BY WILLIAM BACON. 
It is a universal principle in nature, that nothing shall be lost. 
Hence we see the firmest rocks of the mountain, as they are worn 
down by the rough hand of time, borne along in their disintegrated 
parts by the wild rivulet that skips from precipice to precipice, 
until they are deposited in the vale below, to give feitility to its 
lovely surface. The leaves fall from the forest trees when they 
have done their service to the spreading branches, to moulder in 
decay, and not only do they protect the earth by a kind covering 
from the extremes of varying atmospheres, but as they waste away 
they are resolved into new elements, contribute to new combina- 
tions, and again appear to regale the senses and gladden the 
heart of man with new forms of beauty, and fresh objects of utility 
to the various purposes which his necessities demand. And it is 
so with every object which we can present to the imagination in 
this world of constant and uninterrupted changes. 
