The Comb Jellies and Others 



73 



out a doubt, Is the display of phosphorescent light by 

 the various animals of the sea and shore. Especially 

 striking Is this phenomenon on a clear summer night 

 before the rising of the moon. Here and there, among 

 the pebbles and swarming over the swaying seaweeds, 

 can be seen tiny points of bluish light; pale floating 

 clusters of liquid fire are carried to the shore by the 



bolina; a phosphorescent comb jelly, (photograph taken in the water.) 



waves to break upon the sand with a brilliant sheen; 

 even as one walks, one's footsteps mark a softly shim- 

 mering trail, in which the quivering glow lingers for a 

 while, hesitates, and then dies out. 



These lights are variously ^ emitted by minute 

 crustaceans, comb jellies and worms. But by rea- 

 son of the larger volume of light given off by each 

 individual, and on account of their enormous numbers. 



