Some need not fear the darkness, for their very life is light.

Such are the "cocuyos", whose brilliant lamps of green and gold and flame, gleam through the aisles of the forest, until the air seems on fire.

Such, too, are the "gusanitos", the female of which--a wingless insect, like a glow-worm--lies along the leaf, while her mate whirrs gaily around, shedding his most captivating gleams as he woos her upon the wing.

But, though light is the life of these beautiful creatures, it is often the cause of their death.

It guides their enemies--the night-hawk and the "whip-poor-will", the bat, and the owl.