172 Rev. D. Landsborough on the Phosphorescence of Zoophytes. 
much disposed as the zoophytes to resent the insult. In this 
case, however, it was not the sparkling wrath of a pigmy mul- 
titude, but the overspreading glow of one massy creature, 
which all shone, though with a lurid and sullen-looking fire. 
The last time I repeated the experiment was in the begin- 
ning of the present month of November. I tried Sertwlaria 
pumila, the zoophyte mentioned by Mr Stewart as phospho- 
rescent ; but though roughly shaken it remained dark. I was 
equally unsuccessful with several others ; but the tiny polypes 
had lain for hours on the shore, under a November sky, and 
the spark of life I suppose had become extinct. A specimen 
of Laomedea geniculata, which from being covered was quite 
fresh, was as brilliant as usual, and emitted as formerly its 
phosphoric odour. I tried for the first time the elegant Plu- 
mularia cristata, and though it had been too long exposed to 
the cold air, it emitted, on being shaken, a little light. Only 
a few of the denticles sent forth their stars, and they were 
very minute and of a darker red. 
From these experiments, may we not surmise that the power 
of emitting phosphoric light is more generally possessed by the 
inhabitants of the deep than we are apt to imagine? Weare 
not yet at liberty to say that it is possessed by all marine 
zoophytes ; but certain it is that itis by many. Neither are 
we entitled to say that it is possessed by all Mollusca tunicata ; 
but we know for certain, what I think was not known before, 
that it is the property of them; and what is possessed by one 
may also belong to more. As little are we entitled to say 
that it is possessed by all the little WZeduse which, as transpa- 
rent jellies, abound in the sea; but as it is known that it is 
possessed. by some of them, may they not in general be phos- 
phorescent when agitated? And as they are at times very 
numerous in the sea, may not the beautiful phosphorescence 
of sea-water at certain seasons, when put in motion, be owing 
to them and to marine Infusories, which in numbers number- 
less are found in the deep? And is it certain that it is not 
possessed by some fishes? The first time I spent a summer 
night at sea was in the herring-fishing season ; and the sailors 
shewed me how to ascertain whether the herring shoals were 
near at hand. When a smart blow was given to the vessel, 
the percussion was communicated to the deep, and immedi- 
