LUMINOUS CREATURES. 53 



beroe ; and among the zoophytes, the pennatula, (sea- 

 pen,) and sertularia, are vividly phosphorescent. Many 

 of the Crustacea, (crabs, etc.) are also luminous, as the 

 cancer jnilex, of Linneus, and the cancer fulg ens of Sir 

 Joseph Banks. " In a species of cancer observed by 

 Captain Tuckey, in the Gulf of Guinea, the luminous 

 property resided in the brain, which, when the animal 

 was at rest, resembled a most brilliant amethyst about 

 the size of a large pin-head; and from this there darted, 

 when the animal moved, flashes of a brilliant silvery 

 light." Numerous animalcules are peculiarly brilliant, 

 giving a phosphorescent radiance to the water in which 

 they abound. Fishes, as it would seem, are also 

 among the tribes endowed with the power of emitting 

 light. The dorado, the mullet, the herring, and the 

 sprat, are examples in point. The sparus chrysurus, 

 an inhabitant of the seas of Brazil, is said to be lumi- 

 nous in such a remarkable manner, that when a few 

 individuals are swimming in company they emit so 

 much light, that in a dark night a person may see to 

 read by its aid. " But considerable suspicion," observes 

 Dr. Fleming, " may be entertained on this subject, 

 whether the light is emitted by the bodies of fish them- 

 selves, or by the number of minute parasitical animals 

 which adhere to the surface of the skin." 



