FUOSPnOIiESCENCE OF SPAWN. 59 



phorescent by agitation. Pressed in the hand, 

 the mass of globules made a slight crackling, 

 like that of snow pressed between the fingers 

 After remaining about twelve hours in a vessel 

 it smelt like stinking fish, and was no longer 

 phospliorescent, in which respect it differed from 

 other organic matters which become phosphorescent 

 when they putrefy. Such was the matter which, 

 as the waves in which it floated washed the shore, 

 broke out in vivid flashes like lightning. This com- 

 parison was suggested to me by the clearness with 

 which it lighted up the chamber that I and my com- 

 panions occupied in the house of Mr. Bull, though 

 it was situated more than fifty yards distant from 

 the breakers: I even attempted to write by the 

 light, but the flashes were of too short duration. 

 The greatest part of this matter was eventually 

 thrown up on the coast, where it putrefied, and spread 

 far and wide a stinking odour." 



Molluscs, of very small size, swimming in large 

 numbers on the surface of the sea, communicate to 

 it an artificial colouring. This appearance might be 

 attributed to any cause whatsoever — for example, to 

 mud, or any mineral matters held in solution. But, 

 independently of the microscope, which reveals the 

 structure of these beings, and of the appearances 

 presented when the substance is burnt, and the smell 



