2O4 STANISLAW SKOWROX. 



contradictory to the bacterial origin of luminescence in this 

 animal. 



It is well known that luminous bacteria cease to glow at a 

 lower temperature than the secretions of animals which have 

 luminescence of their own. Furthermore one of the constant 

 characteristics of the bacterial light is the reappearance of the 

 luminescence after cooling and of the same intensity as before 

 heating. The living Microscolex kept in fresh water does not 

 give off any light upon addition of ether or alcohol if previously 

 heated to 60 C. The same was noticed if the dried material or 

 the filter paper impregnated with luminous slime were tested 

 for luminescence by pouring on them water heated to different 

 temperatures from 55-6o C. It may be mentioned here that 

 after cooling the luminescence did not return in any case. These 

 observations agree with the results obtained in other luminous 

 animals whose self-luminescence is beyond any doubt, and differ 

 widely from the behavior of luminous bacteria. Different results 

 were obtained, however, with solutions prepared from the whole 

 worms. In this case the maximum of temperature at which 

 the light was observed reaches but 40 C. This difference may 

 be explained by the quicker destruction of the luminous granules 

 by the substances (enzymes) liberated from the rest of the body. 

 Should this explanation prove true one cannot expect to find in 

 the solution at a higher temperature unaltered luminous material 

 which may react with the added ether. 



In the older literature one finds statements that the dried 

 luminous slime of the earthw r orms can be made luminous again 

 by application of water. The same was found in my observa- 

 tions and this experiment can be repeated many times until 

 complete oxidation of the luminous material. If the whole 

 animals be dried in an evacuated desiccator the ground powder 

 behaves like the fresh discharged slime, the intensity of lumi- 

 nescence being about the same. Even after three months the 

 dry powder glows brilliantly if in water, the luminescence lasting 

 for some time relatively to the amount of the powder. The 

 dried bacteria however can be made luminous by moisture but 

 only for a shorter time after desiccation, and the light is much 

 fainter than that of the living microorganisms. 



