140 VEGETABLE PHOSPHORESCENCE. 
terrified horses, I can never forget, but will not attempt /ere to 
describe. Suffice it to say that, but for this disaster (from 
which we were mercifully extricated without spades and ropes), 
I think it probable that the phenomenon I am about to recount 
might have escaped notice. 
When we got out on /erra firma and resumed our march, I 
was following the other two at some little distance, when I was 
startled beyond measure by a sight such as I had never witnessed 
before, and have never seen since; a sight which made ample 
amends for the wicked enclosure and its alarming sequel. Each 
of the horses in advance had left behind him a track of fire!! 
the footprints being exhibited as arches of beautiful silvery 
light!!! I stopped to gaze at this weird illumination with 
amazement, perhaps not guzfe unmixed with superstition, for I 
knew nothing in nature to account for the fact. Calling my 
companions back, I dismounted to examine their tracks and 
mine more carefully, and found the light was due to a substance 
which could be transferred to my hand, and spread out zwzth 
increased briliiancy. On further search, it turned out that the 
luminosity was not confined to the horsetracks, but was diffused, 
in sparks and silvery threads, through the peaty soil and amidst 
the roots of the grass. All these yielded more light on pressure, 
and could be expanded into flaring surfaces by careful manipula- 
tion. These results seemed to establish the presence of some 
phosphorescent material distinct from the peat or grass with 
which it was mixed. I took some little sods home to Bodnant, 
and, by keeping them damp, was enabled to show specks of the 
light for about a fortnight. 
To this day I have no better explanation than a conjecture 
that it was owing to the mycelium of some minute fungus 
penetrating the soil after the manner of “dry rot.” I have read 
of caves, near Dresden, illuminated by natural chandeliers of 
pendant Byssus; and the glare of ‘‘touchwood,” with which 
many of us are familiar from childhood, is [I presume, in- 
disputably] produced by fungi insinuating themselves between 
the decayed fibres. These, according to the late Dr. George 
Cumming, of Chester (a good observer of nature,) mus¢ always 
be of ash; but my object in this memoir is to draw forth original 
observations, and to invite that free discussion which has so 
often proved the main charm of our meetings. I hope the more 
fertile subject of Amzima/ Phosphorescence will be taken up by 
the other section. 
Nore.—Mr. Hardy, of Old Cambus (Parish of Cockburnspath,) writes on 
this subject: ‘‘ When living at Penmaenshiel, long ago, I used to see it on 
the cart wheels when crossing doggy ground in the autumn, when corn was 
led from outlying fields that had once been moor, and I have taken up handfuls 
from the soil.” Mr. Dick informs us that a log in a wood near Holywell, 
which he has often passed before and since without seeing any light, was, on 
one occasion, so brilliant that he thought Gipsies had kindled a fire there. 
It seems, therefore to be affected by atmospheric conditions, whatever be the 
source of light. ; 
