OBSERVATION'S ON LUMINOUS ANIMALS. 33? 



been referred to, it is probaWe, that other compounds of 

 like nature may be formed of the oxides, alkalis, and 

 earths, with the oximuriatic combinations, or of the oxi* 

 muriatic compounds with each other; and should this be 

 the case, the more refined analogies of chemical philosophy 

 will be extended by these new, and, as it would seem at 

 first view, contradictory facts. For if, as I have said, 'vsrhich appears 

 oximuriatic acid gas be referred to the same class of bodies with oxieeT^" 

 as oxigcn gas, then, as oxigen is not an add, but forms 

 acids by combining with certain inflammable bodies, st> 

 oximuriatic acid, by uniting to similar substances, may be 

 conceived to form either acids, which is the case when it 

 combines with hidrogen, or compounds like acids or oxides, 

 capable of forming neutral combinations, as in the in- 

 stances of the oximuriates of phosphorus and tin. 



Like oxigen, oximuriatic acid is attracted by the positive 

 surface in voltaic combinations ; and on the hypothesis of 

 the connection of chemical attraction with electrical 

 powers, all its energies of combination correspond with 

 those of a body supposed to be negative in a high degree. 

 V And in most of its compounds, except those containing 

 the alkaline metals, which may be conceived in the highest 

 degree positive, and the metals with which it forms in- 

 soluble compounds, it seems still to retain its negative cha~ 

 racter. 



(To be concluded in our next.) 



Observations upon Luminous Animals. ByS. Macartney, 

 Esq^. Communicated bi/ Everard Home, Esq. F. R.S.* 



1 HE property, which certain animals possess of emitting Luminous anl- 

 light, is so curious and interesting, that it has attracted t^^e J'^^^^J^^^^^^^^J^ 

 attention of naturalists in all ages. It was particularly attention, 

 noticed by Aristotle and Pliny amoTig the ancients; and 

 the publications of the different learned societies in Europe 



* Philos. Trans, for 1810, p. 258. 

 Vol. XXVIL— Supplement. Z contain 



