Mr. Patterson on the Bolina Hihernica. 157 



of fire, all in motion and rapidly disappearing ; and on a light being brought, 

 the Bolina was found lying lifeless at the bottom. In glasses containing a few 

 individuals, flashes of light were given out, sufficient to render the figures on 

 the dial plate of a watch visible for a moment, but too transient to allow the 

 hour to be observed. Two large opaque vessels, each containing twenty or 

 thirty individuals, were next subjected to examination in the dark cellar in 

 which they had been placed. On agitating the first of these, light of a pale 

 green tinge seemed instantly to diffuse itself through the water. On doing the 

 same with the second, the whole contents of the vessel became lighted up so 

 completely, as to render all the adjacent objects visible for a moment. On stir- 

 ring it round, the animals were seen like lamps suspended in the water, to which 

 their own radiancy imparted* a milder and fainter effulgence. On touching 

 them with the hand, light was invariably given out with increased brilliancy, 

 the bands, and every portion of the cilia being distinctly exhibited, with a 

 splendid greenish lustre as beautiful as it was evanescent. It was impossible to 

 behold these bodies of innocuous fire, floating amid the brightness which they 

 themselves diffused, and not feel, that to convey an adequate idea of their 

 beauty, would be a task more fitted for the imagery of the poet, than the 

 language of the naturalist. 



Being obliged to leave Bangor early next morning, the sea water in one of 

 the larger vessels was not changed during the day, and in consequence of this 

 neglect, I found, on my return at night, that all its occupants had died. The 

 water, owing to their decomposition, then presented a discoloured milky appear- 

 ance, and emitted a peculiar and disagreeable odour. On being agitated in the 

 dark, no light was given out, thus proving that the luminosity of the previous 

 evening was peculiar to the living animal, and was not extended to the putres- 

 cence of its decaying parts. This species, and the Beroe fulgens of Macartney, 

 taken by J. Templeton, Esq., on the Down coast, are the only Irish cilio- 

 grades in which the luminous power has hitherto been observed. 



Being desirous of ascertaining if the present species had been recognized 

 in any other localities, I exhibited the accompanying figures at the late meeting 



* " lis brillent pendant la nuit, comme autant de lumieres suspendues, dans les eux." — 

 Lamarcli. 



