It would require a book to tell about the wonderful processions, such as that of the white elephant, which, by the way, Tom thought was a real animal, until he saw that its legs did not move, and that under each of its feet were two human legs belonging to the men who carried the huge stuffed creature—and the many other strange things that they saw in the streets and houses of Japan. [Illustration: PROCESSION OF THE WHITE ELEPHANT.] Suffice it to say, that since Tom came home—and it has been some years since his trip to Japan—he has earnestly endeavored to discover what particular thing it would be best for him to learn thoroughly and completely. I am not sure that he has even yet made up his mind upon the subject, but he is convinced that if his experience among the Japanese had no better effect than to teach him that to know how to do something perfectly well, it is greatly to be desired, and well worth striving for—no matter how much time and toil it may require. LUMINOUS INSECTS. The fire-flies that flit about so merrily on our pleasant summer evenings, emit little sparkles of light, that seem like tiny stars, shining among the grass and trees. Sometimes the air is full of these twinkling lights, which are very pretty, though not sufficiently brilliant to help us to find our way on a dark night, or to bring into our houses to save the expense of candles or kerosene. [Illustration: HUT LIGHTED BY BEETLES.] Occasionally we see, at night, in the grass by the roadside, or in a field, a very small trail of a bright-green light; and, on stooping down to examine into this singular appearance, we find on the ground an insignificant little ugly worm, to which Nature has given the power of producing a lovely colored light. These glow-worms are somewhat rare in this country, but are common in England, where our fire-fly is unknown. The glow-worms of tropical countries are as large as good-sized caterpillars, and give out a light of corresponding size. Some of the beetles of tropical countries are much more radiant than the glow-worms. They have a bright ring around their bodies, which sheds such a light that it is said that the negroes use them for lamps. These negroes we are told by travelers make small round cages of thin wooden slats placed near each other, and closed at the top and bottom. In these they put several beetles, and thus light up their rooms free of cost. [Illustration: THE GREAT LANTERN FLY.] But the most splendidly illuminated insect in the world is the great lantern fly. Its monstrous head is a blaze of light. When it flies through the air it is like a streamer of fire. When it alights upon a leaf, with its beautiful wings outstretched, and its head gleaming with star-like rays, that light up everything for some little distance, it is a gorgeous sight indeed.