It is not our intention to champion the cause of this enthusiastic naturalist; but to some it would seem that the direct evidence of a single observer of good repute should have some weight against an indefinite number who merely failed to corroborate the observation. In the chapter on luminous plants, an almost similar instance is given, where for years the direct statement of the daughter of Linnæus regarding the luminosity of a plant was doubted by scientific men, until finally a well-known botanist confirmed it. To some it would seem possible that the _Fulgora_ emits light only at certain times, and under peculiar conditions; be this as it may, scientific opinion is entirely against its luminosity, and the light in the figure of _Fulgora lanternaria_ (Plate XII.) is introduced merely to show its supposed appearance according to the description of Mme. Merian and her supporters. The question is so interesting, and so typical of many that arise, that we introduce the opinions of the various authorities upon the subject. The two most interesting species come from China and South America,--_Fulgora candelaria_ from the former, and _F. lanternaria_ from the latter. The Asiatic species is the smallest, measuring about two inches in length, and noticeable for the peculiar horn-like projection on the head, supposed to be the luminous organ. Its colors are rich and attractive; the head and proboscis, as we may call it, being a fine reddish brown, apparently dotted here and there with white specks. The thorax is a deep yellow hue; the body, black above, and yellow beneath. The wings are still more striking,--the upper pair dark, with many green reticulations, that divide the entire surface into many minute squares, yellow spots being scattered here and there; the under wings are orange with black tips. The _Fulgora lanternaria_ of South America is nearly three inches and a half in length from the tip of the head to the extremity of the tail, and about five inches and a half broad with its wings expanded. The body is of a lengthened oval shape, sub-cylindric, and divided into several rings or segments; while the head is distinguished by a singular prolongation, which sometimes equals the rest of the body in size. The general color is yellow, variegated with many brown stripes and spots. The wings are large and powerful; the lower pair ornamented with a large eye-spot, well shown in the accompanying figure; the iris or border being red, while the centre is half red and half white, rendering it a very conspicuous object. The remarkable extension of the head--or lantern, as it has been called--is pale yellow, ornamented with longitudinal red stripes. In this projection the luminous property of the lantern-fly is said to exist.