^* I would here mention that no reference is made in the text to the important general work of Lacordaire, or the excellent faunal European work of DuVal, in which the genera have been tabulated in a convenient manner, but without special reference to our species, except what has been derived from my own works cited above.

^* Br. Mus. Cat. Illustrations; Coleoptera, Part 1, Lycidæ, 1879.

^║ Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1880, p. 1, 63, 83, and Proc. loc. cit. infra.

^* It is still uncertain whether the large luminous larvæ described by Baron Osten Sacken (Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila., i., 125, pl. 1, f. 8) belong to the Elateride Melanactes or to Phengodes. Species of both genera are found in nearly all parts of the United States, but though the larvæ scem to resemble that of Mastinocerus referred to in the text more than any described Elateride larvæ, it is more probable that they should be referred to the latter family.

^* Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Phila., 1859, 197, pl. 3 and 4.

^* Gen. Col., iv., 345.

^* some slight efforts have been made in this line of investigation, but nothing satisfactory has been published. Mr, Meldola (Proc. Ent. Soc. London, 1880, p. iii), observes: “that the exact nature of the phosphorescence was still an unsolved problem both to the physicist and biologist. Some years ago he had examined the spectrum of the glow-worm, and found that it was continuous, being rich in blue and green rays, and comparatively poor in red and yellow.”

^† In regard to the structure of the light-giving organs, I have found only some superficial notices by authors whom it is scarcely necessary to cite on the present occassion. It is narrated that they are rich in fat cells, and abundantly supplied with nerves and air-tubes; the histological observations of Schultze do not show the manner in which the light is produced.

^‡ As to the composition of the fats contained in these special organs, I berieve that no investigation has been made, though in this instance, as in the cases of the acid secretion of Harpalus, the liquid explosively emitted by Brachinus, and the singular excretion of Chlaneius, which combines the odor of camphor and kreasote, the materials are easily procured, and the results would be physiologically important.

^* Fire flies are Elateridæ of the genus Pyrophorus (Spanish Cucuyo), of which one of the smaller species, P. physoderus, occurs in Florida and Texas, and shine with a constant light, chiefly visible in two vesicles near the hind angles of the prothorax, which are convex, and covered with a transparent chitinous integument. All species of Pyrophorus are not phosphorescent.

^† Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1880, p. 66.

^* But lo! at the last a glimmer, and a light from the West there came,

And another and another, like points of far off flame;

And they grew and brightened and gathered, and whiles together they ran

Like the moon-wake over the waters, and whiles they were scant and wan.

—Sigurd the Volsung, Book II, p. 137.

^† Proc. Ent. Soc. London, 1880, p. ii., Mr. McLachlan … “had at that time advanced the opinion that the phenomenon in question might be caused by currents of air inducing the insects to simultaneously change their direction of flight.” Sir Sidney Saunders: “The simultaneous character of these corruscations among vast swarms would seem to depend upon an intuitive impulse to emit their light at certain intervals as a protective influence, which intervals became assimilated to each other by imitative emulation.”

Ibid, p. vii.: Mr. McLachlan, in connection with his idea of the supposed contemporaneous flashing of all the individuals in a swarm of Lampyridæ, called attention to flies of the genus Argyra, which when flying exhibited at times an appearance similar to that of small snow-flakes, owing to the silvery pubescence with which part of the body was clothed, but which was observed in certain positions, and especially when the insects rested, owing to the pubescence being then concealed; he thought this to some extent was an analagous case to that of the light of swarms of Lampyridæ.” Sir Sidney Saunders observed: … “as to the contemporeneous flashes of myriads, such as are more frequently congregated on the calmest nights, surrounding objects previously involved in obscurity, become suddenly illuminated as it by electricity, and as rapidly plunged into their antecedent gloom at alternate intervals. He could not concur in the hypothesis that currents of air had any connection with such displays or exhibitions, when not a breath rvas stirring around; nor that these manifestations might be evoked by sexual influences, amid vast hosts instigated to combine therein, and act in unison. He would rather attribute this phenomenon to an inherent tendency to emit their light from time to time, requiring a certain amount of repose to recruit their powers; and when any thus surcharged felt intuitively inspired to take the initiative, the others—prompted to obey a corresponding influence—followed such suggestion in responsive sequence.” Ibid, p, viii.—“Mr. Meldola stated that Mr. Thomas Belt (Naturalist in Nicaragua, p. 320) had expressed his belief that the luminosity of the Lampyridæ played the same part as the bright colors of many caterpillars, i. e., that it served as a danger signal, warning nocturnal foes of the inedibility of the species of this family, which he had found to be generally distasteful to birds, &c.”