Luminousness of the Sea. 309 
is to be seen upon our own shores, and in our own seas ; but 
though we agree with the celebrated Muller, in the beautiful 
introduction to his Commentarius de Monoculis, ** Non mutan- 
dum coelum, non trajicienda maria, non petenda et vite et 
pecuniarum dispendio, loca remotissima, ut invisa, ut inaudita 
inquiramus ; ; ipsa litora vicina, ipsa patria tellus, lacus, stagna, 
rivi, quid quod vada et he: palustria domestica, mir ando- 
rum feracia existunt.” Still it is in warmer regions and 
more southernly latitudes, that this phenomenon attains its 
greatest degree of brilliancy and beauty. In these situations 
it is impossible not to be struck with astonishment, wonder, 
and delight, at the scenes which are fr equently exhibited to 
the eyes of them “ that go down to the sea in ships.” At one 
time, the evening serene and delightful, a pleasant breeze just 
filling the sails, and the bow of the vessel throwing the water 
to each side, as it gracefully parts the yielding waves, all 
round the ship, far as the eye can reach, may be seen innu- 
merable bright spots of light, rising to the surface, and again 
disappearing, like a host of small stars dancing and sparkling 
on the bosom of the sea. At another time, the night dark and 
lowering, a fresh breeze urging the ship rapidly onwards 
through her pathless track, upon looking over the stern, in 
addition to the smaller specks just now mentioned, large 
globes of living fire may be seen wheeling and dancing in the 
smooth water in the wake of the rudder; now, at a great 
depth shining through the water, then rising rapidly to the 
surface, they may be seen, as they reach the top of the wave, 
flashing a bright spark of light, sufficient almost to dazzle the 
eyes of the beholder; and now again they may be traced 
floating majestically along, till they gradually disappear in 
the darkness of the water in the distance. At other times, 
again, when light rain is falling, or, perhaps previously 
to the rain coming on, when a light nimbose cloud is over- 
spreading the sky, upon the water being agitated by the ship 
passing through it, or curled up by a rope towing overboard 
in a bight, a beautiful general luminousness is diffused all 
round, bright enough to illuminate the whole ship’s side, and 
the lower large sails which may be set at the time: and it is 
no unusual occurrence to have this appearance so bright, that 
a person with little difficulty, and near the surface of the 
water, might be enabled to read a book by its aid. 
* “ Climes are not to be changed, seas to be crossed, nor the remotest 
lands to be sought at the expense of life and fortune, that we may search 
out things unheard of and unseen; the bordering shore, our native land, 
lakes, ponds, rivers, every ford and every neighbouring marsh abounds in 
wonders.” 
