OZONE THE CAUSE. 429 



light called phosphorescence. It is remarkable 

 that when phosphorus is put into perfectly dry 

 air, free from all moisture, it shines no longer, 

 or but very feebly, and ozone is not produced. 

 Thus it appears that phosphorus possesses the 

 peculiar property of causing the union of water 

 and oxygen so as to form ozone, which then 

 acts upon it. Bearing this singular action 

 of phosphorus in mind, Professor Schonbein 

 says, " It is well known that the phospho- 

 rescence of the sea is intimately connected with 

 the motion of its waters, or, to speak more 

 properly, that the phenomenon is dependent 

 upon the particles of these waters being brought 

 into immediate contact with the atmosphere. 

 When a ship moves about, or the wind happens 

 to agitate the sea, the surface of the brine is 

 continually renewed, and consequently new 

 particles of organic matter are every moment 

 brought into contact with the surrounding air." 

 Just as the phosphorus has the property of pro- 

 ducing ozone, which then, oxidates it, and in so 

 doing causes the emission of light, so it is 

 supposed that this organic matter causes the 

 oxygen of the air to unite with water to pro- 

 duce ozone, which when produced, oxidates and 

 destroys it. Hence we are to consider the 

 light given out by the waters of the ocean as 

 the effect of a process of oxidation taking place 



