COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 173 
with the two terminal segments white, slightly 
tinged with yellow. 
This species is very abundant throughout the 
southern parts of Europe, particularly in Italy, 
where it is named Lucciola. Contrary to what is 
observed in the British Glow-worm, both sexes are 
provided with wings. When the insect either 
perches or creeps little light is therefore perceptible, 
but it becomes obvious as soon as the wing-cases 
are opened for flight. It is not however constant, 
but has a kind of scintillating appearance, recur- 
ring at every other instant, as if disclosed by the 
opening of the wings at each successive expansion. 
When the insect is laid upon its back, a position 
from which it cannot easily recover itself, the light 
is steady and unvarying. It is of considerable in- 
tensity in a single insect, and when three or four 
are brought together, it is sufficient to render the 
smallest objects around quite visible. It is appa- 
rent in the twilight, but is not fully displayed till the 
darkness is confirmed. It then becomes a pheno- 
menon of some interest and beauty, as the insects 
are so numerous and active , that their luminous 
tracks through the air can be traced in all direc- 
tions, 
Upward and downward, thwarting and convolved ; 
and they spangle the shrubs and herbage with 
innumerable radiant points. Their appearance and 
effect in the neighbourhood of Genoa, is thus de- 
scribed by Sir J. E. Smith : — “ On the eve of St John 
