The Botanic Garden, a Poem in Two Parts. Part 1: the Economy of Vegetation

by Erasmus Darwin

NOTE IX … LUMINOUS INSECTS.

Eighteen species of glow-worm, their light owing to their respiration in transparent lungs; Acudia of Surinam gives light enough to read and draw by, use of its light to the insect; luminous sea-insects adhere to the skin of those who bathe in the ports of Languedoc, the light may arise from putrescent slime.