Exp eriir.en ts and Cbservations cn^.;tl 3 jg^hos» 
phorescence of thè Lucide: By^^tfarradori , 
Phil osophical Ma^ca^ine , London, 1.798, Voi* 
PP* ^77 « 80 (Translated fromAnnales 
de Chimie, 1798,' Voi* 24, pp* 96 ICI) 
These insects, which during thè oalm 
nights of Spririg fly abcut in thè air, where 
they appear lilce sparks cf fine, v/hich at- 
tract thè curiosity of ohildren and afford 
thè®, amusernent, canno t fail in a more par« 
ticular manner to excite t^e curio^^ity of 
thè philosopher* 
The light of thè lucide does not depend 
cn thè influence cf any external cause, but 
merely on thè will of these insects* vVhile 
they fly about at freedom their shining i.s 
very regul-ar; but when they are once in our 
power they shine very irregularly or do net 
shiiie at all. When they are molested they" 
ernit a frequent light, Vvhich appears to be a 
mark of resentment * //hen plaoed on their 
backs they^ stiine alir.ost without in terrup tion , 
making continuai efforts to turn themselves 
from that positicn. In thè day time it is 
necessary to torment them in crder to make 
them shine^ and thence it fcllows thatkhe day 
to them is thè season of repose** The' luc- 
ide emits light at pi easure from every 
point of their bellies, which preves that 
they can move all thè parts of their viso era 
independently of each ether. They can al so 
render their phosphe rescence more or less 
viVid, and continue it as long as they please* 
The facul ty cf sparkinp* does not cease 
on their bellies being tcrn or opened by an 
incision. Carradori saw part of thè belly 
cf cne separated from thè rest cf thè body, 
thè light cf which was almost extinguished , 
grow lumincus all of a sudden for seme se- 
conds, and afterwards become graduai ly^ ex- 
tino t. He sometimes saw^ a like por tion 
Vvhich had been separated, pass suddenly from 
