130 LIVING LIGHTS. 



derful plant was illuminating the mountains near Syree ; 

 and those who investigated it expressed the belief that the 

 light, if it existed at all, came from a species of Dictamnus, 

 which was known to grow about Gungotree and Jumnotree. 



Even in Josephus we find reference to the luminosity of 

 plants. " There is a certain place," he says, " called Baaras, 

 which produces a root of the same name with itself; its 

 color is like to that of flame, and towards evening it sends 

 out a certain ray like lightning ; it is not easily taken by 

 such as would do it, but recedes from their hands." 



In the "Proceedings of the Royal Asiatic Society" of 

 April, 1845, there is reference to a luminous root-stock found 

 in the Oraghum jungles, " gleaming in the dark with all the 

 vividness of a glow-worm, or the electric scolopendra, after 

 having been moistened with a wet cloth applied to its surface 

 for an hour or two, and did not seem to lose the property by 

 use, becoming lustreless when dry, and lighting up again 

 whenever moistened." It is probable that this is the plant 

 which is referred to by the Brahmins as Jyotismati, produced, 

 it is said, by a variety of Oardiospermum. According to 

 Sanscrit authorities, it abounds in the Himalaya Mountains ; 

 and is well known, according to Major Madden, at Almora, 

 where investigation showed it to be, at least in this locality, 

 the roots of the fragrant khus-khus grass, which at certain 

 times, as rainy nights, was luminous. 



In South America and Asia occurs a plant known to 

 science as Euphorbia phosphorea; which emits, when severed 

 or cut, a milky juice somewhat resembling that of the dan- 

 delion. At night the juice of the former is, when heated, 

 brilliantly phosphorescent; so much so, that, according to 

 M. Martins of Montpellier, if the stem be broken and used 



