178 KINGSBRIDGE 



(Schistostega osmundacea). It has been observed by Funk, 

 Brandenberg, Nees Von Esenbeck, Hornschuh, and Struve. 

 Bridel-Brideri and Agardh attributed this light to a small 

 Alga, which the former called Catoptridium smaragdinum, 

 and the latter Protococcus smaragdinus, which they supposed 

 occupied the moss. Unger, however, has examined the moss 

 accurately, and finds that at certain seasons the peculiar 

 utricles of this moss assume a globular form, and, being 

 partially transparent, the light is refracted and reflected 

 in such a way as to present a luminosity on the surface 

 of the vesicles. Meyen says he has confirmed Unger's 

 observations.' " 



Whether the Salcombe shining moss is identical with 

 either of those above described, we do not know ; but there 

 is sufficient similarity to render the extracts interesting 

 and valuable. It should, however, be stated that in this 

 instance the luminosity does not vary in intensity, but is 

 precisely the same at all seasons of the year. 



The entrance to the cave where this beautiful moss may 

 be seen is decked with that pretty fern, the Asplenium 

 marinum. 



Hawkins says that "just within the Splat Cove rocks 

 (towards the South Sands) is a subterraneous passage called 

 Bull-hole, which the common people have an idea runs quite 

 under the earth to another such place, of similar name, in 

 a creek of the sea called Sewer Mill, about three miles 

 distance to the west." An absurd story is told of a bull 

 which entered it, and came out at the opposite end with 

 its coat changed from black to white; and it is curious 

 enough to find a similar legend current near Corunna, on 

 the coast of Spain. "Whether," continues Hawkins, "these 

 two cavities be really the same continuous aperture from 



