Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1895 — The Great Firefly. [ARTICLE]

The Great Firefly.

Tho great firefly—elater noctllucus —is an inhabitant of the savannahs of most of the warmer purts of America and tho West India Islands. It is said to attain a length of an inch and a half. In the gloom of night theso flies are extremely luminous, and tho effect is brilliant. The light chiefly proceeds from four parts, viz., from two glandular spots behind the eyes, and one under each wing. They have the power to cut off the light at will, in which case the glandular spots become perfectly opaque. The light of this wonderful insect by itself is such that if the creature be held in the palm of the hand, print or manuscript is as easily read as by a candle. The aboriginal natives cage these creatures and muke use of them, it is alleged, as lanterns. Ladies adorn themselves with this electric-like luminary. It is related of Don Domingo Conde of Columbia that he would appear on the evening promenade with a large firefly ornamenting the buckle of his broad hat, while a band of smaller luminous Insects surrounded it. The same Spaniard lighted his palace with fireflies in silver cages. The display must have been enchanting, for at one time the light is ruddy, at another tho tinge is greenish, then there is a change to golden yellow. It is stated thut when tho Spaniards were about to land one of their expeditions against Mexico a panic was caused by these luminaries. The host of flitting lights on land was supposed to be an indication of the enemy arousing their camp to resist the attack. When the English were attacking the West India Islands the fireflies were taken to be a Spanish army, advancing with burning matches against them, and the upshot was a hasty retreat to the ships.