202 On the Phosphorescence of Marine Invertebrata. 
death of the animal ; it arises from a superficial oxydation of the 
mucous coating, and it can be reproduced after.it seems extinet 
by passing the finger over the animal. The animals which owe 
their luminous property to a secretion are, according to the au- 
thor, Infusoria, Rotifera, Biphoree, Meduse, Astoria, Cuttle fish, 
Sertularie, Pennatule, Planarie, Crustacea, and Annelids. 3. 
The third cause of phosphorescence is in some animals from the 
presence of one or more special organs. Of this number are the 
Pyrosoma, and especially P. Alatantica, whose light of a greenish 
blue is very brilliant. Each individual carries behind its mouth 
a soft opaque substance, of a reddish brown color. This body 
is slightly conical, and under the microscope thirty or forty red 
points may be seen; it is this substance which produces the light. 
If. Observations. , : 
men are deficient. In a note published in 1843, and inserted in 
this Journal,* I endeavored to establish a different opinion, and 
to show, that under the general name of pe eon phe- 
nomena essentially distinct have been confounded, an on 
Without speaking of the phosphorescence arising from animal 
composition, nor of that which results from mucus in a state’ 
two ways: gree 
‘Ist. By the secretion of a peculiar substance exuding = 
— the entire body, or from a special organ. It is probable wo 
in this first mode of phosphorescence, the light always arises from 
a slow combustion. The fact is proved as regards insects, can 
direct experiments are necessary before the same certainty CT 
exist as to marine Invertebrata, Annelids, Molluscs or Radiata. — 
_ 2d. By a vital action, whence results the production of @ pe 
light independent of all material secretion. I had arrived at ne 
result at the time of the publication of my first note. ‘My 
| eM ets 
oo ev alanes Annélides 
* wan my 1s 
2 i 
* Note sur un nouveau mode de phospl bs 
et Ophiures, (Ann. des Se, Nat,, 2¢ séries, t. xix, p. 183.) 
