Scientific Intelligence. 209 
As far back as 1791, a Society was instituted at Albany, for the pro- 
motion of Agriculture, and the useful Arts, three volumes of whose 
Transactions now lie before us, containing instructive and interesting 
papers. Among the contributors to the Transactions of the Institute, 
we observe with pleasure, names which give the assurance that the 
work will not be permitted to languish, especially under the Presidency 
of a gentleman whose love of science and useful practical knowledge, 
is equalled only by the munificence with which he sustains its interests. * 
Indeed it is with great satisfaction that we observe the fine region of 
which Albany is the centre, becoming not less remarkable for its in- 
stitutions, tending to promote knowledge and virtue, than for its great 
advantages, as an emporium of both foreign and inland trade ; we trust 
that Albany and Troy will become still more what they already are in 
so great a degree, both a focal and a radiant point of intellectual light. 
We present, from No. 1, of the Transactions of the Albany Insti- 
tute, the following short paper, which has appeared to us particularly 
interesting. 
“On the luminous appearance of the Ocean, by Lieut. THomas R. 
Incauts, U. S. Army, corresponding member.—Read March 26th, 
1828.—This beautiful phenomenon, which once bore the poetical 
title of “ phosphorescence of the ocean,” has more recently, I be- 
lieve, rested between two solutions : that it is caused by animalcule, 
or by the ovula of fishes. A writer in a recent foreign abe oN 
inclines to the former opinion, viz. that the luminous appearance of 
the ocean is caused by animalcule. As I have been for some time 
inclined to the opposite view of this subject, I am induced to submit 
an account of some observations made a few years since in the hum- 
ble pursuit of science. 
..“ Tn the practice of sea bathing at night, in a southern leita I 
fad of course noticed and admired the beautiful sparkling of the 
water when agitated or resisted—but the myriads of bodies of what- 
soever sort which emitted these corruscation, were alike invisible and 
impalpable. On one occasion, however, I struck my arm against a 
small soft mass, which immediately emitted a flash of two or three 
inches in diameter. But the mass eluded my attempts to secure it, 
as it was invisible the moment it parted from its accidental contact 
of the 
* Witness the geological survey on sf Erie Canal ; survey 
state of New York, &c. which is now in hand; and the Si bei school at Troy. 
7 
Vou. XVI.—No. 1. 
