194 BULLETIN 139, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



In the organic world, however, we find a remarkable phenomenon 

 which seems to set at defiance our previous observations and pain- 

 fully built mechanical structures, a light produced without heat, 

 exemplified in the common firefly. Dr. E. Newton Harvey ^^ states 

 that progress in the realization of heatless light will not be made 

 until the synthesis of the Ught-emitting proteins is accomplished 

 Since proteins are among the most complex of organic substances, 

 no protein having as yet been synthesized, we are here in the pres- 

 ence of one of the many mysteries of organic reactions in the handling 

 of wliich chemists and physicists have only made the faintest begin- 

 nings, have in fact only advanced by grace of fortunate guesses or 

 accidents, as Dr. D. C. Gilman has pointed out in his remarks on 

 organic synthesis. In these cases what seems to be simplicity itself 

 is too often only enormous complexity. It is believed that the at- 

 tainment of heatless light would be of great importance to the world, 

 but it seems inevitable that mankind must wait patiently for a long 

 time for the result. Doctor Harvey also says that the light if 

 acquired would be too green for comfort, in fact as distressing as the 

 mercury arc light. 



The cumulative results of science and the amazing interactions of 

 these results, their elucidation of problems in other fields, their new 

 points of departure for other investigations in totally unexpected lines, 

 can not but hearten those who survey the field as to the potential- 

 ities of the future. The wonders of nature transcend the wonders of 

 science, but no one may dogmatize and set limits to man's cunning. 

 It is, therefore, not improbable that heatless fight may be realized, 

 though we may not predict that it will come through the organic 

 world. 



It is affirmed by physicists that all substances send off radiations, 

 therefore if the human eye was an all-efficient organ man could see 

 by a multitude of fights. Beyond the limited range of the eye, how- 

 ever, man is compelled by instrumentalities devised by himseK 

 to explore what in our circumscribed perceptions we call the dark 

 places. Our first insight into this vast region was conferred by 

 that epoch-making instrument, the spectroscope. The compo- 

 nents of light made known by the spectroscope showed clearly that 

 this common radiation is extraordinarily complex and that it bears 

 the stigmata of all existing things carried from the ends of the uni- 

 verse. Spectrum analysis with constantly improving instrumenta- 

 tion has made great strides not only in telling us of the materials of 

 the universe, their conditions and motions, but also of forces carried 

 in fight, the nature and purport of which we are still in ignorance. 

 Spectrum analysis is still in its infancy; the groundwork is done, but 



s' The Nature of Animal Light, Philadelphia, 1920. 



