34/117 On a dark night the light can be seen at about two hundred paces distant. It is remarkable that in all the different kinds of glowworms, shining elaters, and various marine animals (such as the crustacea, medusae, nereidae, a coralline of the genus Clytia, and Pyrosoma), which I have observed, the light has been of a well-marked green colour. All the fireflies, which I caught here, belonged to the Lampyridae (in which family the English glowworm is included), and the greater number of specimens were of Lampyris occidentalis. I am greatly indebted to Mr.Waterhouse for his kindness in naming for me this and many other insects, and giving me much valuable assistance.) I found that this insect emitted the most brilliant flashes when irritated: in the intervals, the abdominal rings were obscured. |