LUMINOSITY OF THE SEA. 



215 



while it was in this condition, and found, on ex- 

 amining it in a dark place, that the little creatures 

 " could be distinctly seen emitting a bright speck of 

 light. Sometimes this was like a sudden flash, at 

 others appearing like an oblong or round luminous 

 point, which continued bright for a short time, like 

 a lamp lit beneath the water, and moving through 

 it, still possessing its definite shape, and then sud- 

 denly disappearing. When the bucket was sharply 

 struck on the outside, there would appear at once a 

 great number of these luminous bodies, which re- 

 tained their brilliant appearance for a few seconds, 

 and then all was dark again. They evidently ap- 

 peared to have it under their own will, giving out 

 their light frequently, at various depths in the water, 

 without any agitation being given to the bucket. At 

 times might be seen minute but pretty bright specks 

 of light, darting across a piece of water and then 

 vanishing; the motion of the light being exactly 

 that of the cyclops through the water. Upon re- 

 moving a tumblerful from the bucket, and taking it 

 to the light, a number of cyclops were accordingly 

 found swimming and darting about in it." 



We have given the above quotation at full length, 

 because it proves, in an interesting manner, the fact 

 that phosphorescence, or luminosity, of the sea is 

 actually produced by multitudes of living creatures. 

 We cannot pass from it, however, without express- 

 ing our difference of opinion in regard to the power 

 of the medusae to emit their light " at will." 



