RUIZOPODA. 15 



model forms of ancient vases, and presenting an 

 elaborate sculpture surpassing that of Chinese carvings 

 in their decoration. 



It is not, however, from their beauty, but from the 

 numbers in which they exist, that these and similar 

 organisms derive their chief importance. Few 

 visitors at the sea-side can have failed to observe 

 that often in the summer-time the waves are lumin- 

 ous, and shine with phosphorescent splendour. The 

 ripples as they totter towards the beach sparkle with 

 scintillations, and the crested waves blaze with a 

 pale but brilliant light. The fisherman, who from 

 his boat surveys the lambent flames that play around 

 him, seems to float in fire. The mariner can trace 

 his path by the long wake of light that streams 

 behind like the train of some vast sky-rocket, or 

 looking from the prow, he sees his vessel as she 

 breasts the waves, dash from her bows broad sheets of 

 liquid splendour. As morning dawns the fairy vision 

 vanishes, nor can the keenest eye perceive in the 

 translucent element the tiny lamps that caused the 

 grand illumination. 



Night comes again, again the sea, lit up, repeats 

 the glorious lesson. Not a breeze sweeps over its 

 tranquil surface but evokes a flash of splendour that 

 extends for miles, and emulates the lightnings of the 

 skies ; and so from day to day the gallant ship sails 

 on, from week to week, from month to month, the 

 mighty ocean, through its wide extent, renews each 

 night the impressive spectacle. 



If we inquire into the cause of a phenomenon thus 

 widely extended, it will be found in every part of 

 the world to depend upon the presence of infinite 

 myriads of living atoms resembling those we are 

 discussing. On taking a glass of the sea- water thus 

 made luminous, it will be found that every sparkle 

 is a brilliant point of living substance such as forms 

 the Ehizopods described above (Fig. 6). 



We have as yet spoken only of the simplest of 

 these animals, but by far the greater portion of the 



