76 



mounting up the former as the storm increases in vio- 

 lence. This phenomenon, we think, has been very 

 properly ascribed by Mr. Thompson to luminous ma- 

 rine animals carried thither by the spray. This has 

 doubtless been, and may indeed be confounded with 

 an electrical phenomenon of a somewhat similar kind, 

 called St. Elmo's Light, &c. by sailors ; this last, 

 however, is usually exhibited as a radiant star or phos- 

 phoric flame playing about the very summits of the 

 masts. * The former, however, is attached to the 

 lower masts and windward rigging. 



In nocturnal insects the light has by some been 

 supposed sexual : this view of the matter cannot be 

 supposed applicable to marine molluscae, since the 

 greater part have the sexes united, are destitute of 

 visual organs, and some are even acephalous, and 

 shine equally in their larva state or more perfect 

 animal form. We certainly think Mr. Thompson's 

 opinion good and happy. It is intended by Providence 

 to illuminate the ocean scene in the dark and stormy 

 night, when neither moon nor stars appear, and no 

 small tempest lies upon the mariner ; and when the 

 darkness " might be felt," the light will be most bril- 

 liant. " Coming events cast their shadows before : " 

 these become the presage of the storm, and reflect 

 such a gleam on the ship and rigging as to enable the 

 sailor to reef or furl his sails, and complete his task. 

 At all times this curious living illumination " points 

 out to the cautious mariner the lurking danger of 

 sunken rocks, shoals, and unknown coasts, by the 

 phosphorescent or snowy appearance which it gives to 

 the breakers, so as to render them visible at a consi- 



* " Treatise on Atmospherical Electricity." Whittaker, Lon- 

 don, 1830. 



