460 THE AQUARIAN NATURALIST. 



Mr. Thompson has given an interesting account 

 of the same species : " It presents itself to the 

 astonished voyager under the appearance of thick 

 bars of metal of about half a foot in length, ignited 

 to whiteness, scattered over the surface of the ocean. 

 Some assume the luminous state, and continue so as 

 long as they remain in view; while in others the 

 luminosity declines and disappears. The greater 

 number of these apparently incandescent masses pass 

 close to the sides of the vessel, or follow in her wake, 

 their phosphorescence being called into activity by 

 coming in contact with her prow, as that of such as 

 are more distant appears to be by the conflict of the 

 waves. The light appears to pervade the whole sub- 

 stance of the animal, and, when examined near at 

 hand, varies in intensity and in shade, often exhi- 

 biting a beautiful phosphorescence, of a bluish or 

 greenish tinge, like a pale sapphire or aquamarine, as 

 it gradually fades away. Agitation or friction renews 

 it as long as the Pyrosome continues to exhibit signs 

 of life ; but it is most vivid when the animal is first 

 drawn up, and at length can scarcely be called forth 

 by the rudest treatment " 



We can scarcely promise our readers an oppor- 

 tunity of viewing the Pyrosome as an inmate of the 

 aquarium, at least in these latitudes. In the Medi- 

 terranean, however, it is common enough, and many 

 a happy hour have we spent in the contemplation of 

 its glorious effulgence. 



