Here, then, is a definite statement, from which all possibility of mistake seems excluded, if, as I suppose is the case, there is no doubt as to the specific identity of the insect which was the subject of it, and which is thus described by Mr. Holder in the work already mentioned: “The _Fulgora lanternaria_ of South America,” he tells us, “is nearly three and a half inches long from tip of head to extremity of tail (i.e. abdomen), and almost five and a half inches broad with its wings expanded.” Truly a goodly insect, of right portly dimensions, and if it be not really luminous—upon occasions, at any rate, for it certainly is not so generally—it is so much the greater pity. But to continue: “The body is of a lengthened oval shape, while the head is distinguished by a singular prolongation, which sometimes equals the rest of the body in size.” This is a most remarkable appendage, if it may be called so, hollow and with a blown-up, inflated sort of look. It does, indeed, to some extent resemble a Chinese lantern, and seems made to be lighted up. The colour, too, suggests this, since it is striped longitudinally with red and yellow, presenting quite a gala appearance. Accordingly, it is said to be here that the luminous property of this strange insect exists. This is its lantern, and, by reason of it, it has received its name of lantern-fly. And yet, since that night when Madame Merian had her interesting experience, we meet with no one, apparently, who can unequivocally say that he has seen the Great Lantern-Fly with its lantern alight. On the other hand, we have some second-hand statements which have almost the value of first, such as that of M. Westmael, who “assures us that a friend of his observed the luminosity”;[151] whilst “John C. Branner, PH.D., states that when in South America he was often informed that it was luminous, but never could find anyone who had personally seen the light.”[151] The curious thing is that there are other lantern-flies belonging to other parts of the world, and in regard to them too we have the same doubt and discrepancy, the same assurances and general belief, the same categorical denials. Thus a distinguished authority on the subject of phosphorescence— Dr. Phipson—in referring to the smaller Chinese species, _Fulgora candelaria_—the candle-fly—says: “It is from these appendages, the sides of which are transparent, that the phosphoric light appears.” And again: “It is said also that the trunk of a tree covered with numerous individuals of _Fulgora candelaria_, some in movement, others in repose, presents a very grand spectacle, impossible to describe, but which may be witnessed sometimes in China.”[151] It would seem, too, that there exists a Chinese edict which forbids young women to keep these candle-flies; and if this is not with the idea of preventing their use as signals, or of checking vanity, it is difficult to see what the object of such an enactment can be.