ZOOLOGICAL UESEARCHES. 



MEMOIR III. 



On ike Luminosity of the Ocean, with descriptions of some 

 remarkable species of Luminous Animals (Pyrosoma pig- 

 mcca and Sapphirina indicator) and particularly of the 

 four new genera, Nocticula, Cynthia, Lucifer and 

 Podojms, of the ShizopodcB. 



A HE animals of which we are about to treat, contributing 

 largely to the phosphorescence or sparkling of the sea, 

 the following- general observations relating to that subject, 

 may not be deemed unacceptable or out of place. 



Of the various Luminous Phenomena which nature 

 offers to our notice, that afforded by the luminosity of 

 the ocean, is one of the most remarkable, and has 

 consequently attracted a good deal of attention from Phi- 

 losophers and Naturalists : having ever been alive to this 

 interesting appearance, in various seas and regions, I feel 

 myself authorized to offer the following general observa- 

 tions upon the sultject. 



(A.) The most common and familiar kind of luminosity is 

 that, which, when the water is slightly agitated by the 

 winds or currents, shews itself, in scattered sparkles in 

 the spray of the sea, and in the foam created by the way 

 of the ship ; these sparkles or luminous points, vary in 

 magnitude, and often continue to shine for some moments. 



