. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. THE CUCUJO. 471 than twenty years. The wood was afterwards planed carefully away, and the track of the larva was laid open. In what state the creature passed so long a period, whether as egg, larva, pupa, or perfect insect was not ascertained. The word Buprestis literally signifies Bull-burster, and was given to these beetles by the ancients, who thought that when they settled upon cattle their presence was so injurious as to cause the bodies of thoir
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. THE CUCUJO. 471 than twenty years. The wood was afterwards planed carefully away, and the track of the larva was laid open. In what state the creature passed so long a period, whether as egg, larva, pupa, or perfect insect was not ascertained. The word Buprestis literally signifies Bull-burster, and was given to these beetles by the ancients, who thought that when they settled upon cattle their presence was so injurious as to cause the bodies of thoir victims to burst usMiulor. ^,-. CHRVSOCnnOA.—(7i)-i/soc7i/-(lii niigiietii iiodihica. (Male,; CUCL'JO, —ryroplioi-ui liinihtosnit. The right-liand figure on the illustration represents the celebrated Cucujo, or Fire- fly OF Brazil. At each side of the base of the thorax may be observed two light patches, which in the living insect are c" a pale yellow, and at night burn with a lustre far surpassing that of the glowworm o' England. When the insect expands its wings for flight two more fire-spots are seen be leath the elytra; and when the creature approaches near the observer, the wliole interior of its body seems to be incandescent. These insects are nocturnal in their habits, and at night in the forests, when the air is filled with mvriads of blazing stars, crossing and recrossing in every direction, making the deepest ghxdes lumnious with their flaming lamps, and appearing and vanishing as if suddenly brought into existence and as suddenly annihilated, they present a sight almost too magnificent for description. So splendid are these beetles, that the ladies are often in the habit of catclniig them and trimming their dresses with these living diamonds, taking care to fasten then in such a way as not to injure them. When in full glow, the light is so intense that a letter or a book may be read by its aid, provided that the insect be slightly squ
Size: 2020px × 1237px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubj, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectmollusks
