HEMIPTERA.

29

draw and enrich my collection with it. Mr. Collinson has sent it to him from London ,under the name Lanternaria Chinensis, for which reason I have called it the Asiatic or Chinese Lantern-carrier.” Eoesel being a respectable entomological writer of histime, we must infer that Fulgora Candelaria was extremely scarce in Europe whenhis plate and descriptions were published. The commercial concerns of Europeans with the Chinese having greatly increased since that period, has facilitated many in-quiries concerning the natural productions of China ; and amongst a variety of otherinsects that are now usually brought from that country, specimens of Fulgora Can-delaria are extremely common. In China , few insects are found in greater abundance.

Having noticed the early history of this insect, we come to consider the peculiarproperties of its singular genus ; upon which the following observations were madeby our author : “ Among these we find the most astonishing that insects can possess,that of emanating light; not merely a momentary shining appearance, as is producedby many viscous substances, but a clear and constant resemblance to the element fire,and capable of diffusing light to surrounding objects, though totally destitute of everyprinciple that can do mischief. To the unphilosophical mind it appears at firstimpossible, and it cannot fail to astonish the best informed; indeed, some readersmight be inclined to doubt the veracity of travellers in foreign countries who haveseen a vegetable* or an animal produce light, if our own country could not supply uswith abundant analogous proofs of such phenomena. The presence of this animatedphosphorus, if we may so express it, is observed on several insects that are natives ofEngland ; it is needless to enumerate them, because the most striking example mustbe recollected by every rural inhabitant or admirer of poetical simplicity :

‘-On every hedge

The glow-worm lights his gem, and through the darkA moving radiance twinkles.’ THOMSON.

“ The account which Madame Merian gave of the effect of the light produced bythe Fulgora Laternariai was greatly discredited, though Dr. Grew had related some

* An instance of this occurs in the south of Europe . An account in the Philosophical Transactions relates of the Dictamnus Albus (Fraxinella), that “ in the still evenings of dry seasons it emits aninflammable air, or gas, and flashes at the approach of a candle. There are certain instances of humancreatures who have taken fire spontaneously, and been totally consumed.”

+ The account which Madame Merian has given of the light of the Fulgora Laterna/ria is so surprising,that it will certainly prove acceptable to many readers. It is indeed a digression from the account of FulgoraCandelaria, but will tend to prove, that insects of this genus emit a more vivid light than any of theilluminated kinds hitherto known.

“ Once,” says Madame Merian, “ when the Indians brought me a number of these Lantern-carriers, I put