SEAS OF FLAME. 85 



Not the least wonderful feature of this animal is the variety 

 of tints; white, green, various shades of deep red, orange 

 green, and azure blue having been ascribed to it by different 

 observers, a fact that must stamp it as the most wonderful 

 of all light-givers, a veritable living diamond. 



One of the most remarkable exhibitions of phosphorescence 

 was observed in January, 1880, by Commander R. E. Harris 

 of the steamship " Shahjehan," a display so unusual that 

 I quote Capt. Harris's letter in full; and, while he is in- 

 clined to consider the exhibition as possibly electric, it would 

 seem that the luminous objects referred to were phosphores- 

 cent animals of some kind, and possibly may have had some 

 connection with the phenomenon. 



" The most remarkable phenomenon," says Capt. Harris, " that 

 I have ever seen at sea was seen by myself and officers on the 

 5th instant, between Oyster Reef and Pigeon Islands (Malabar 

 coast) . At ten P.M. we were steaming along very comfortably. 

 There was a perfect calm, the water was without a ripple upon it, 

 the sky was cloudless, and, there being no moon, the stars shone 

 brightly. The atmosphere was beautifully clear, and the night 

 was one of great quietude. At the above-named hour I went on 

 deck, and at once observed a streak of white matter on the 

 horizon bearing south-south-west. I then went on the bridge, 

 and drew the third officer's attention to it. In a few minutes it 

 had assumed the shape of a segment of a circle, measuring about 

 forty-five degrees in length, and several degrees in altitude about 

 its centre. At this time it shone with a peculiar but beautiful 

 milky whiteness, and resembled (only in a huge mass, and greater 

 luminous intensity) the nebulw sometimes seen in the heavens. 

 We were steaming to the southward ; and, as the bank of light 

 extended, one of its arms crossed our path. The whole thing 



