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MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN (1647-1717)

Branch of Pomegranate with Lanternfly and Cicada

1702-03

RCIN 921149

The lantern fly takes its name from its large proboscis, which supposedly emits a bright light. In the Metamorphosis Merian gives a vivid account of ‘a fiery flame’, strong enough to read by. Such a light has, however, never been scientifically recorded, and the function of the enlarged proboscis remains unknown.


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