FOREWORD 



Bloluminescence of the sea generally tias been regarded as a 

 mysterioTis phenomenon, and observations In the past for the most 

 part have been fragmentary and unreliable* It is only In recent 

 times that systematic observations and explanations of the phenom- 

 enon have become available. 



In an effort to summarize the data already in existence, the 

 U. S. Naval Oceanographic Office has undertaken an intensive 

 literature search which Included reports extending back almost a 

 century. As expected, reports of displays for the most part came 

 from shipping lanes and included very little information from less 

 frequented areas. 



This study is published as part of the Oceanographic Office 

 program in marine biology. It is intended as a small contribution 

 to a field that has been sadly neglected for a long time. 



ODALE D. WATERS, JR. 



Rear Admiral, U. S. Navy 



Commander 



U. S. Naval Oceanographic Office 



ill 



