PRINGSHEIM, ON ALG. 173 
The evolution of light, therefore, would be an accompani- 
ment of this decomposition (oxydation) of the albuminous 
material, though it must of course be assumed that the de- 
composition takes place under the immediate influence of 
the nervous system ; in fact, even, it may be said that this 
decomposition takes place so actively as actually to be 
attended with the luminous phenomena, only in consequence 
of its imtensity derived from the nervous influence, whilst, 
under ordinary circumstances, albuminous substance, under- 
going oxydation, is not luminous. If this explanation be 
correct, we are here presented with another remarkable 
instance of a direct influence exerted by the nervous system 
on molecular changes, and which, although ina certain sense 
analogous to what we know of the influence of the nerves 
upon the electrical organs and salivary glands, as well as in 
the action of the nerves upon the muscles, still at present 
appears to be suit generis. 
So much for the present. I hope next winter to be able 
to publish my experiments more in detail, with the requisite 
illustrations, although I may wait for another glow-worm - 
season, in order to supply many existing deficiencies in my 
observations. In any case, I shall then make due reference 
to the numerous previous researches on the subject of the 
luminosity of Lampyris, amongst which, as [ will at once 
remark, the most satisfactory are those of my countryman, 
Macaire, of Geneva (‘ Bibl. univers. d. Genéve,’ 1821, and 
Gilbert’s ‘Annalen, 1822, p. 265), and endeavour, at the 
same time, to bring into one view the physiological relations 
of luminous animals in general. 
PrincsuerM’s Researches on the Fecunparton of the Aucam. 
By M. Monraenzt. 
Tue following résumé, by M. Montagne, of Pringsheim’s 
later researches on the fecundation of the Alge, appears 
in ‘ L’ Institut’ for August 20th, 1856, and may be regarded 
as a continuation of what has already appeared on the subject 
in this journal. 
“The second memoir of M. Pringsheim,” observes M. 
Montagne, “is full of curious facts, leading to unexpected 
results, and well deserves the attention of naturalists. It 
contains, in fact, the establishment of the existence of the 
