438 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



(superoxyd of hydrogen) is formed, which is analogous to if not the 

 same as atmospheric ozone, and it can be detected by the same tests. 

 The author has found, by his usual tests, that phosphoric ozone is 

 developed only when the phosphorus is luminous. Periods of lumin- 

 osity and periods of atmospheric ozone take place under similar atmo- 

 spheric conditions, and the conditions of non-luminous periods and 

 periods of non-atmospheric ozone are the same. From the author's 

 observations in connection wiih this matter, which extend over sev- 

 eral years, it appears that 99 per cent of luminous periods and 91 

 per cent, of ozone periods commence with decreasing readings of the 

 barometer and other conditions of the equatoreal current; and that 94 

 per cent and 66 per cent terminate with increasing readings and the 

 conditions of the polar current. Luminous periods commence and iumm- 

 osity increases in brilliancy on the approach of storms and gales, and 

 ozone periods commence and luminosity increases in quantity under simi- 

 lar conditions. There is, it would appear also from these observations, an 

 intimate connection between the approach of storms, the commencement 

 of luminous and ozone periods and disorders of the nervous, muscular and 

 vascular systems. Here the author gave the dates of many storms and 

 gales, and the occurrence of diseases of the above class, showing their 

 coincidence; and in corroboration of what he had stated, he mentioned 

 the fiict that there was a concurrence in the issuing of Admiral FitzRoy s 

 cautionary telegrams and these diseases. He also stated that he views 

 the part performed by ozone in the atmosphere as being similar to tlia 

 performed by protein in the blood; the latter giving oxygen for the dis- 

 organization of worn-out tissues in the animal economy, — the former giv- 

 ing oxygen to the products of decomposition and putrefaction, and ren- 

 dering them innocuous or salutary compounds. With these views he 

 has used phosphorus as a disinfectant; and from the results be has 

 obtained, he believes that by using ozone artificially formed by the action 

 of phosphorus in localities tainted with the products of putrefaction, just m 

 sufficient quantity to tinge the usual test-paper, all diseases of the pyt 

 genie class would be prevented. Although the data are too few to ttie - 

 rize upon, Dr. Moffat hoped that he would be excused for pushing tbe 

 matter beyond a simple statement of facts and observations, as man} tac 

 had been observed in nature which strongly corroborated all he na 

 advanced. Ozone, he observed, is in all probability formed wherever 

 there is phosphorescence ; and this is by no means an uncommon pne 

 nomenon. It is seen in life and in death, in the animal and vegetable 

 kingdoms, and in the mineral kingdom. Here many instances oi Ji^os 

 phorescent bodies were enumerated, among which the ni^ht-shining 

 Neries was named as becoming particularly brilliant with a ^'recUon o 

 wind from points of the compass between east and south ; and the 

 that the sea becomes luminous on the approach of storms by "'^^^^ 

 animals floating on its surface was noticed. Many phosphorescent niJ- 

 erals were named; the fluor spar being particularly pointed out as Dei g 

 not only phosphorescent on slight increase of temperature, but as g 

 ing off ozone. The author concluded by observing that it is not i 

 probable that atmospheric ozone is formed by the phosphorescence o 

 these and similar bodies, and pointed to the absence of ozone and we^^ 

 m^netic action during cholera periods, which are periods of noa-Iumi 



