45

nisru of Nature, to efl~ct certain purposes The species are numerous: many of them are natives of the, tropics, and vastly exceed those of Europe in size. The most remarkable is

the ..later no ctilucus, called, in South Ame

rica, Cocujas. It is about an inch arid a half long, and of a brown colour, with a smooth, yellow, semi-transparent spot on each side of the thorax, diffusing such a brilliant plans

phone splendour, that a persona may easily

read the smallest print by its light: and, if
eight or ten of the insects are put into a phial,
they will give a light equal to that of a com
mon candle. The larva of this genus injure
the roots of grass. rIlIe Wire-worm, so de
structive to corn, is sUppOSe(i to be the larva
of the Muter obscurus. cicindela, or Sparkler,
was the name used by ancient writers to desig
nate the glow-worm, but is now applied to a
different genus, the individuals of which have
a strong, rapid flight, and are often seen on
the wing, iii the hottest part of a summer's
day, in dry meadows, or on sandy eauks
The Gicindela cainpestris is remarkably elegant,
being of a bright green, with five small, round,
white spots on the wing-shells; the head, tho
rax, and limbs, are of a rich golden cast, and
the eyes black and prominent. Its larva is a
long, soft, whitish worm, with a brown, scaly
head.