( 63 ) y. On the Structure of the Lampyridae, ivith reference to their Phosphorescence. By the Eev. H. S. GOEHAM. [Piead March ord, 1880. J The interest taken by the members of the Society who were present when I rather briefly stated some morpho-logical observations I had made while studying the Lmnpijridce, was so much greater than I had anticipated, that I think it worth while to lay before the Society a fuller summary of those facts, and venture to restate in a rather fuller form, and, if I can, more clearly, the con-clusions at which I arrived. I think it will be admitted that generalisations founded on a limited number of phenomena are only misguiding, and have no sure basis, while in those founded on a large number of facts, some cases are sure to be found, which may at first seem adverse to the conclusion which we are at last compelled to adopt. This has been the case here. There are examples, such as the non-luminous species, which I do not profess to say more about than that they do not invalidate the general con-clusion at which I arrive, which is that the sexual instinct has played a large part in moulding the external structure of this group of beetles, and that it is to that we may look for an adequate explanation of the wonderful development of phosphorescent light, though perhaps not to its origin. In the first place, then, it is to be observed that all the species of this family do not possess the luminous faculty in equal degree ; but that on the contrary, while some are highly luminous in both sexes, some are only highly so in the female, some are not luminous in either sex, and some (though this appears rather doubtful) are luminous in the males, and not so, or much less so, in the female. The part which this faculty of emitting light plays in the economy of nature has been long and earnestly debated. The most general view, and therefore one to which I lay-no claim for originality, but which my observations tend to confirm, is that it serves as a beacon to attract the male to TEANS. ENT. SOC. 1880. — PART II. (jUNE.) F
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