INTERESTING FACTS. 41 



ceding ; but, although also limited, was curious, 

 as occurring in a high-latitude during the winter 

 season. It was on the 19th of August,*' the 

 weather dark and gloomy, with light breezes 

 from north-north-east, in latitude 40° 30' south, 

 and longitude 138° 3' east, being then distant 

 about three hundred and sixty-eight miles from 

 King's Island, (at the western entrance of Bass's 

 Straits). It was about eight o'clock, p.m. when 

 the ship's wake was perceived to be luminous, 

 and scintillations of the same light were also 

 abundant around. As this was unusual and had 

 not been seen before, and it occasionally also 

 appeared in larger or smaller detached masses 

 giving out a high degree of brilliancy : to as- 

 certain the cause, so unusual in high latitudes 

 during the winter season, I threw the towing 

 net overboard, and in twenty minutes succeeded 

 in capturing several pijrosoma, giving out their 

 usual pale green light ; and it was no doubt 

 detached groups of these animals, that were the 

 occasion of the light in question. The beautiful 

 light given out by these molluscous animals soon 

 subsided, (being seen emitted from every part of 



* My journal remarks the atmosphere to have been very 

 chilly during the day, but much milder in the evening ; the 

 range of the thermometer during the day being from 49*^ 

 to 56o> 



