388 Otto Steche, 



negative resiilts were obtained. Once a phosphorescent glow of scar- 

 cely perceptible intensity was observed when the fish was pressed 

 against the side of the aquarium. 



2) und 3) Chemische und mechanische Reize: A hve fish put 

 into an aquarium of seawater made alkaUne with ammonia water, 

 exhibited a most brilliant glow along the location of the well-developed 

 Organs. Not only did the hnes of organs shine forth, but the individual 

 Organs themselves where distinguishable. The glow appeared after 

 about five minutes, remained prominent for a few minutes, and then 

 for twenty minutes gradually became weeker until it was scarcely 

 perceptible. 



4) Elektrische Reize: No result followed relatively weak Stimu- 

 lation of the fish, although such currents produced violent contrac- 

 tions of the muscular System of the body. But when a current strong 

 enough to be quite painful to the hands while handling the electrodes 

 was used, then Stimulation of the fish called forth a brilliant glow of 

 Hght from apparently every well-developed organ in the body. All 

 the lines on the ventral and lateral surfaces of the body glowed with 

 a beautiful light, and continued to do so while the Stimulation lasted. 

 ... I was also able to produce the same effect by galvanic Stimulation, 

 rapidly making and breaking the current by hand. 



5) Art des Leuchtens: The light in Porichthys was, as near as 

 could be determined by direct Observation a white light. When produced 

 by electrical Stimulation it did not suddenly reach its maximal intensity, 

 but came in quite gradually and disappeared in the same way, when 

 the Stimulation ceased. The light was not a strong one, only strong 

 enough to enable one to quite easily distinguish the apparatus used 

 in the experiment. 



Das ist alles was wir von ausführlichen Beobachtungen und 

 Experimenten an Leuchtfischen kennen. Die Resultate stimmen 

 unter sich ziemlich überein. Charakteristisch ist vor allem, daß bei 

 Maurolicus und bei Porichtliys spontan kein Leuchten bemerkbar war. 

 Für Porichtliys bedeutet das, daß das Tier für gewöhnlich ohne Reize 

 überhaupt nicht leuchtet; hier ist auch noch die Beobachtung Greenes 

 zu erwähnen, daß er Leuchten nur bei den männlichen Tieren erzielen 

 konnte, die nach der Laichzeit am Strande die junge Brut hüteten. 

 Im tiefen Wasser gefangene Tiere (zwei Exemplare) waren auf keine 

 Weise zum Leuchten zu bringen. Vielleicht handelt es sich hier also 

 um eine Funktion, die nur bei dem zur Laichzeit allgemein gesteigerten 

 Stoffwechsel zur Entfaltung kommt. Ob Maurolicus normal nicht 



