28 THE WORLD OF THE SEA. 
gether. At the seasons of their reproduction, this marvellous 
light shows itself in all its splendour. It seems as though their 
exuberant life, unable to be held within its prison, burst its fetters, 
and radiated out in beams of glowing light. 
Plants also are found which contribute to this resplendent con- 
dition of the sea. Meyen describes one of the Osczllarza which 
PHOSPHORESCENCE, 
affords phosphorescence. All sailors know that during warm 
weather, when certain sea-weeds are taken from the water and 
rubbed or beaten, they become more or less phosphorescent. 
Many naturalists believe that this magnificent phenomenon may 
be caused by animal and vegetable matters suspended in the 
water, and especially when they are undergoing decomposition. 
The ancients erroneously attributed phosphorescence to the saltness 
of the sea, or to the S#zrzt of Salz. 
