Far Eastern and Classical Antiquity 43 



Summary 



Thus, in the field of luminescence, our heritage from classical 

 times has been knowledge of the firefly and the glowworm; the lan- 

 tern fish (Lucerna piscis) ; possibly a Nile fish (Dilyxnos) ; dead 

 fish and meat, luminous from the growth of bacteria; rotten wood, 

 luminous from the growth of a fungal mycellium; a remarkable and 

 unidentifiable plant (Nyctegreton) , whose light might also be due 

 to fungal mycelium; luminous mushrooms; phosphorescence of the 

 sea and of growths along the seashore (Aglaophotis marina) ; a 

 squid; the mollusc, Pholas, (Unguis) , and the medusa, Pelagia 

 (Pulmo marinus) . In addition, the ancients had noted lumines- 

 cences connected with electrical phenomena, the aurora borealis and 

 ignis lambens. St. Elmo's fire, called Castor and Pollux, had been 

 seen many times. The wings of the Hercynian birds and shining 

 precious stones, probably reflected light, and the glow in the eyes 

 of various animals, without doubt a reflection of external light, 

 were confused with true luminescences. The above examples of 

 luminescences and false manifestations of light emission have been 

 copied by subsequent commentators and appear again and again 

 in early European writing. 



