Al'l'ESDlX A. 48!) 



practices abroad ; hence the inutility of an alibi for the wretched beings accused of 

 witclieraft. In India ii/nis fatuun is commonly known by the name of Bhuini. It 

 usually occurs near villages, and about tanks, niarsby spots, or in ilat malarious country. 

 Tiie phenomenon is very common around the Itajmahal Hills, on the flat alluvium 

 near tlio hills, and the bc^st instiincc 1 ever witnessed, was near one of the Bungalows 

 built by the late Mr. I'ontet, near where the railway passes, but the exact name I 

 liave forgotten. 



" It was a cold night in January, wlien, about nine o'clock, I was called by my 

 servant (in accordance with previous directions), and told that 'many JJIiutnis' had 

 come out. Sure enough, several lights were visible moving about a little, but usually 

 not far from one spot. I thiidi I must have watched oue at some ^00 yards, for a 

 (juarter of au hour, and can only describe it, without suggesting an explanation, save 

 that it may have possibly originated with some luminous insects collected togethei'. 

 The light had all the appearance of an ordinary mussal or oil-torch, and appeared 

 fully as large and as liright. It had the appearance of emanating from some slowly 

 consuming body, with the evolution of pliosphoresceut fumes, but this might be 

 merely the effect of a vivid light on the dense cloudy stratum of fog at that particular 

 spot. The night was still, but an occasional puff of air would alter the motion of 

 the light, which however seemed to possess the power of independent motion. T]u: 

 light faded, or even disappeared under a stronger breeze, to re-appear on its dying away. 



" The spot where this light I am describing centred was near a tank iu some Hat 

 ground traversed by a small sluggish stream, and a tank margin is a common place 

 for such light to be seen on. I can add little more; regarding the mysterious appear- 

 ance, save my conviction that its origin has yet to be traced out and established, my 

 own belief in favour of its being due to a congregation of luminous insects, being 

 provisionally adojjted for want of a better, and from the fact, as I take it, of the light 

 shifting itsposition independently of the wind, whose stronger force only causes its 

 temporary extinction. I have forgotten perhaps the most imi)ortant observation 

 I made with respect to this light, vi/.. that it is decidedly fluctuating, like that of 

 a revolving light of a lighthouse. After a certain period of ordiuary biightness, tlie 

 light increases in size and brilliancy, and rapidly attains its maximum effect, after 

 which it slowly fades, sometimes to a mere speck, barely ^ isiblc, or even disappears for 

 a minute or two." 



It is not a little curious that tlio history and causes of this remarkable 

 natural phenomenon should have so long resisted the endeavuurs made to ascertain 

 them, and the question is suggested as one very worthy of attention by all favourably 

 situated for the purpose. 



SEA ANEilOXES (Page 18). 



Since the brief notice of these beautiful forms was printed ofE, a few verses have 

 occurred to me from Punch which I copy chiefly for the information they contain 

 touching the edibleness when cooked of sea anemones, which is certainly not 

 generally known, and, if true, might under some circumstances be worth knowing. 



Oh ! merry is the Jladrcporc that sits beside the sea ; 

 The cheery little Coralline has ]uauy charms for me : 

 I love the fine Echinoderms of azure green and gray. 

 That handled roughly, fling their arms impulsively away. 

 Then bring me here the microscope, and let me see the cells 

 "Wherein the little zooj)hyte, like garden floweret, dwells. 



We'll take the fair anemone from off its rocky seat, 

 Since Iloudeletius has said, when fried, 'tis good to eat : 

 Dyspeptics from ' Sea Cucumbers' a lesson well may win. 

 Which blithely take their organs out, and then put fresh ones in : 

 The Iliitifer in whirling round may fairly bear the bell. 

 With Oceanic Uydrozoids, that Uuxlcy knows so well. 



