85 PHOSPHORESCENCE. 
to the radium discharge took on pronounced luminosity, thus point- 
ing to a possible state in which common-place substances might 
have luminosity imparted to them under certain conditions ; the fore- 
most condition to my mind being a certain electrical state of the 
matter concerned, produced directly or indirectly. I think there is 
an inference to be drawn here which may help one to some sort of a 
working theory. Nothing that I have adduced stands as proof or 
even strong evidence in the line of thought I have tried to pursue, 
but I venture to think that there are many things which are sugges- 
tive. Condensing the ideas into brief statements, I am inclined to 
take up the position that in the Phosphorescence of living things 
there may be stages as follows :— 
1. Production of electricity from surplus nerve energy or 
specially adapted nerves. 
bo 
. Storage in some degree greater or less of the electricity. 
3. Discharge under conditions calculated to give light: includ- 
ing the possibility of the emission of electrically charged 
atoms or molecules. 
Whatever explanation may be eventually arrived at, I believe 
that the result is bound to be a heightening and widening of our 
previous conception of the subject. I think this idea may be read 
into Tennyson’s lines: 
‘The old order changeth, yielding place to new; 
And God fulfils Himself in many ways.” 
