LIVING LIGHTS. 



witnessed tins phenomenon. The region of coves and 

 beaches along the shores of Eastern Massachusetts, around 

 Nahant particularly, is a favorable one for its full display. 

 As the waves come rolling in upon the rocks, or upon the 

 long, expansive shingle, in tidal measure, we see the foam- 

 ing crest, seemingly igniting all along the line, more and 

 more intense in brilliancy, when, with a roar, it breaks, 

 masses of scintillating liquid upon the sands. We glide 

 over the smooth portions of this sea, our boat leaving a 

 golden train ; and every dip of oar, or the dash of some 

 affrighted fish, creates an equally vivid display. Even when 

 not disturbed, looking down into the calm, clear depths, the 

 same phenomenon is witnessed. Pale, ghostly forms are 

 seen here and there, moving slowly about, while the seeming 

 silvery atoms suggest the nebulce of this submarine sky. 

 Deeper yet, the bottom shows weird splendors. The great 

 kelps are bedecked with mystic lights, and gleam like 

 diamond's flash from ledge and rock. 



These wonderful exhibitions of submarine illumination 

 are due to the presence of luminous creatures, or in some 

 cases to large animals swimming through immense numbers 

 of small phosphorescent bodies, so appearing as light-givers 

 themselves. 



In nearly every branch of the animal kingdom we shall 

 find these living lights ; some marvellously brilliant, others 

 glowing with dim rays, and all contributing often to won- 

 drous illumination, far-reaching or circumscribed. 



If the ocean which contains these wondrous forms should 

 suddenly become dry, we should find that its contour is very 

 similar to that of the land. There would be hills, valleys, 

 plains, mountains, and seeming river-beds where currents 



