158 brilliant Pheenomenon. 
surpassed by the original metal in its most polished state. So 
rapid and unexpected a transition from darkness impenetrable to 
a scene dazzling with splendour, produced an effect truly electric. 
Exclamations burst from the wondering spectators, and rung tn 
echoes loud throughout the ship. Usurped by the novel and im- 
posing character of the phenomenon, the mind seemed inacces- 
sible to every other impression, and, for the moment, lost all re- 
collection even of the storm itself. The sparkling of sea-water, 
although common, is a subject not satisfactorily explained. At 
the present day, naturalists maintain two theories :-one goes to 
ascribe it to phosphorescent animalcula, of which myriads are 
detected, by the aid of the microscope, in every part of the ocean, 
though most abundantly in the vicinity of the equator. The other 
refers it to putrefaction: during this process, luminous sparks are 
copiously evolved when the water is briskly agitated. Thus the 
phosphorescent principle is brought forward by both parties—the 
former believing the light to proceed from living, the latter from 
dead animal matter. The luminous appearance of the ocean, in 
the present instance, differed materially from that which it usu- 
ally presents: in addition to those small points of light which are 
observed to flash from sea-water when ruffled, others were readily 
distinguishable by the very vivid and copious rays they emitted. 
* To ascertain the nature of the substance from whence so 
much light issued, a bucket was prepared, by means of which we 
were so fortunate as to dip up three. The description is as fol- 
lows: they are composed of a cartilaginous-like substance, from 
two to three inches long, aud covered with transparent eminences, 
each containmg a drop of water: the shape slightly conical, 
having an opening through the base, which terminated in the op- 
posite extremity. The internal structure proved equally simple 
with the external ; in the place of vesicles this surface was stud- 
ded with minute grains of a brownish complexion. No signs of 
sensibility were discoverable, and the only indication of animation 
was the power of ascending and descending in water; during 
these motions a state of contraction and dilatation were alter- 
nately perceived. Viewed in a glass of sea-water, a scene beau- 
tifully brilliant was displayed; the delicacy of verulean, mingled 
with the splendour of phosphorescence, whilst numerous inter- 
mediate shades served to vary and enrich the showy prospect. 
This pleasing illumination was only visible whilst the substance 
was in motion, which might readily be induced by a gentle degree 
of agitation given occasionally to the water. 
‘* To preserve one of these extraordinary dazzlers it was im- 
mersed in spirits; in a short space of time the sole relics of its 
late splendour consisted of an unmeaning cylinder of colourless 
cartilage,” : 
METEORO= 
