108 EMISSION OF LIGHT BY 
The next account of a similar appearance was 
described by Bartholin, the celebrated Danish 
philosopher, as seen at Montpelier in 1641. A 
poor woman had bought a piece of flesh in the 
market, intending to make use of it the day fol- 
lowing; but happening not to sleep well that 
night, and her bed and pantry being in the same 
room, she observed so much light come from the 
flesh as to illuminate all the place where it hung. 
This flesh was shown to many persons as a curi- 
osity, and kept till it began to putrefy, when the 
light vanished. 
After these come Boyle’s observations alluded 
to above. 
It has often occurred to me that this singular 
production of ight in dead animal matter precedes 
putrefaction; no disagreeable smell is observed 
until the luminous appearance has lasted some 
time. Boyle was also aware of this, for he says, 
** Notwithstanding the great number of lucid 
parts,” referring to his neck of veal, “ not the least 
degree of stench was perceivable to infer any putre- 
faction.” 
Water does not destroy the phosphorescence of 
dead animal matter; but alcohol, acids, etc., soon 
extinguished it. According to Boyle’s experi- 
ments, a piece of shining flesh shone less, but did 
not lose its light, when placed in the exhausted 
receiver of an air-pump ; “ but,” he adds, “‘ by the 
