104 
CONTENT. 
an impenetrable gloom over the scene by night. The 
darkness here, however, and especially at one point, 
a little dell, which is most obscure, is studded thick 
with Fire-flies of various species, among which the two 
large ones above-named are conspicuous. I have 
delighted to watch and study their habits in this 
lonely spot, while the strange sounds, snorings, 
screeches, and ringings, of nocturnal reptiles and 
insects, sounds unheard by day, were coming up from 
every part of the deep forest around, giving an almost 
unearthly character to the scene. 
Pygolampis xanthophotis I have observed only in 
flight : its light is of a rich orange-colour when seen 
abroad, but w'hen viewed in the light of a candle 
appears yellow. It is not of so deep a tint as 
the abdominal light of Pyropliorus noctilucus. It is 
intermittent. 
Photuris versicolor is noticeable by its frequent 
resting on a twig or leaf in the woods, when it will 
gradually increase the intensity of its light till it 
glows like a torch ; then it gradually fades to a 
spark, and becomes quite extinct; it thus remains 
unseen for some time, but in about a minute, or, it 
may be, two, it will begin to appear, and gradually 
increase to its former blaze ; then fade again ; 
strongly reminding the beholder of a revolving light 
at sea. The light of this species is of a brilliant 
green hue. I have seen a passing Pyg^ xanthophotis, 
attracted by the glow of a stationary Phot, versicolor, 
fly up and play around it; when the intermingling 
of the green and orange rays had a charming appear- 
ance, like the two lights of Pyrophorus noctilucus, of 
which I shall presently speak. 
