28 
Psyche 
[March 
Whether the Japanese custom was introduced from China, 
we do not know. Japan did send a large number of students 
to China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The fireflies 
are still one of the best evening entertainments the Chinese 
children have today. Mothers are generally requested by 
their children to save their empty egg-shells in which the 
youngsters house their catch and watch the flashing in the 
dark when they go to bed. 
