426 Mr. C. W. Peach on the Luminosity of the Sea, 



servations whenever I was so fortunate as to witness that beauti- 

 ful phaenomenon ; these have been frequent, and I trust it will be 

 found that I have not been altogether idle, when I could spare 

 time to examine minutely. I have thought that it would be 

 better to give the observations in a journal-like form, though I 

 have only given some of the times when the most remarkable or 

 interesting things were noted, not only of the luminosity, but 

 of other unusual appearances which occurred at or about the 

 time ; with a table showing, for four years, the objects noticed 

 in those months when observations were made, and another to 

 show how often in each year the weather changed from fine to 

 coarse after these displays, and how often it continued fine. 

 This is done with the hope that, by a long-continued series 

 carried on in different places, by different observers, something 

 satisfactory may be arrived at. 



The subject has been taken up afresh in different places, and 

 as the BritishJAssociation for the Advancement of Science has re- 

 quested all information possible on the subject, it appears there 

 is still great interest connected with it. On one point nearly 

 all are agreed, i. e. that whenever the sea is luminous, animals 

 and theii' exuviae are invariably present, as well as occasionally 

 vegetable productions ; that these are the spangles which illu- 

 mine the water and not any property in the water itself, but 

 that the animals have not the power to give out their light un- 

 less irritated or moved. 



I shall call attention to a long list of objects, some of which I 

 am assured are new to the British coasts : these I purpose to de- 

 scribe as well as I can, but shall leave the naming to those who 

 are more intimately versed in such matters. 



1846. Sea. Animals, &c. Weather. 



June 11, Very luminous... Beroe abundant; Exceedingly hot weather. 

 10 P.M. Sarsia prolifera, 



with others, rare. 



1847. 

 April 19. Very luminous ... Lizzia octopunc- Very unsettled weather 

 tata, skins of Bar- and dull : torrents of 

 nacles, and small rain. 

 Crustaceans. 

 May 3. Very luminous... Steenstrupia rubra. Very fine weather; 6th and 

 Beroe, &c. &c. for some time after un- 



settled, cold and wet. 

 July 22. Very luminous, Volvox innumera- Very hot with heavy 

 sheet-like. ble, rolling about showers, and heavy dews 



in all directions. about this time. 

 Nov. 9. Very luminous, in Skins of Barnacles, The two days before 

 large spots, at small Acalepha;, stormy strong weather, 

 times in masses. and Beroe in wind s.e.; splendid wea- 

 thousands. ther for some time after. 



