On the Luminous Appearance of the Sea. 105 



from it, but there are no proofs that electricity has any fhare 

 in the phenomenon. 



M. Bajon, on the other hand, confiders the luminous ap- 

 pearance of the fea as electric, and, in fupport of this opinion, 

 remarks that it is never obferved but when friction is pro- 

 duced by fome body paffing over or through the water. For 

 this reafon the light is always feen very ftrong around mips, 

 and where great numbers of fifh are collected together. The 

 action of the atmofphere may alfo excite this light at the 

 furface of the fea. It is promoted by a north wind, and is 

 interrupted by a fouth wind, as well as by damp weather, 

 Sec. This opinion, in the molt effential parts, agrees per- 

 fectly with that of M. De la Perrier, and of J. R. Forfter. 



M. Le Gentil alfo concludes, from observations made in 

 the Indian feas, that this phenomenon is produced by the 

 electricity of the fea water ; for he obferved it only under 

 certain cafes ; as for example, when the heavens were filled 

 with clouds, and the fea high, and much agitated. He ob- 

 ferved it, however, during calms; but this was never the 

 cafe except when a ftorm was to be apprehended. As long 

 as the ftorm continued, the fea had a luminous appearance ; 

 but as foon as it was over, the light ceafed. When the 

 weather was in the ufual ftate, that is to fay, when the 

 winds were regular, even though they were ftrong and the 

 fea rough, iie obferved nothing of the phaenomenon. He 

 failed upwards of fix hundred leagues with a ftrong weft 

 wind and very high fea, but did not obferve the leaft fpark 

 of light. They appeared moft abundant in winter, which is 

 .the period when the winds change, and when ftorms and 

 hurricanes take place. M. Le Gentil afferts that at this 

 period of the year he never wiihed to obferve the fea lumi- 

 nous, becaufe he confidcred it as a fign of bad weather, and 

 could always, with certainty, foretel by it when a change 

 was to take place. This phaenomenon is more common in 

 the Indian feas than in thofe parts on this fide of the Cape, 

 between America, Europe, and Africa. M. Le Gentil 

 afcribes the electricity of the fea to the dafhing of the waves 

 againft each other, which muft naturally produce fri&ion. 



I hope I fhall lie forgiven if I here add tjie following va- 

 Vul. VIII. P luabte 



