LIVING LIGHTS. 



bearers. This is the Noctiluca, or, as its name implies, the 

 night-light. This little creature, but little more than visible 

 to the naked eye, is the largest of the so-called infusorians ; 

 others of this group of animals requiring the aid of a 

 microscope to determine the form. It is but little more 

 in structure than the bit of protoplasm, or simplest organ- 

 ism or animal known. It looks when magnified its 

 natural size being about that of a pin's head much more 

 highly organized than the others, by being almost a complete 

 globe, and provided with a whip-like process or member. 

 It is also veined somewhat, and reminds one of a currant 

 or gooseberry. Now, it is often noticed that the smaller the 

 animal, the more numerous ; indeed, also, the more numer- 

 ous its progeny. We may well be prepared, then, to hear 

 that these minute creatures often swarm on the ocean 

 surface in myriad masses. 



Fig. 1. of Plate I. represents the Noctiluca magnified one 

 hundred times. Fig. 2. of the same, represents the appear- 

 ance of the creature when luminous, and only slightly 

 magnified. The long lash which extends from the side 

 is the locomotive organ. It is attached to the body near 

 what is supposed to be the mouth ; though these creatures 

 are so simple that many kinds, just below in organization, 

 have no definite mouth nor stomach, but absorb food from 

 any surface of the body which comes in contact with it. 



This infusorian and most potent of living lights, albeit 

 of extreme minuteness and simplicity as an organism, is 

 abundant in the ocean along the European shores, and is 

 often seen in our north-eastern waters, notably off Portland 

 harbor and along shore to Cape Ann. I have enjoyed the 

 privilege of witnessing the fullest glory of this little crea- 



