Entomological Inquiries, etc.

Abstract

I WAS much interested, two nights ago, at finding on the wall of my drawing-room a flattish, dark-grey winged insect, six or seven tenths of an inch in length, which, on being placed in the hand, exhibited two small but brilliant sparks of light towards the extremity of the tail. In the imperfect light in which it was examined, the wings seemed to have elytra and the body to be somewhat like a small caterpillar, with a tapering tail. In size and general aspect it resembled the Italian fire-fly, with which I made acquaintance last summer on the Lake of Como, without, however, a sufficient examination to justify more than the most superficial comparison. My knowledge of entomology is so defective, that I feel unable to form an opinion whether it might be that insect or the male of the common glow-worm (which, however, is not common in my neighbourhood). If so meagre a description may enable any of your readers to give me satisfactory information as to this point, I shall feel much obliged to them.