STARS OF THE SEA. 



ture's effulgence. In our so-styled ocean firmament these 

 living asteroids shine forth in those waters, and rival, if not 

 excel, in light-giving any other known creature. 



In the endeavor to study the mysterious lights, I spent 

 considerable time on a rocky point which jutted out into 

 the sea, at Ogunquit, Me., with my microscope at hand, as 

 near as possible to the water ; thus examining them while 

 comparatively fresh from the sea. In taking up the little 

 creatures, they assume a pear shape, from contraction, — the 

 only evidence, seemingly, of life, but blazing with a flashing 

 light over their entire surface. We had the advantage of 

 having specimens fresh at hand, yet there are certain appli- 

 ances indispensable for such work which we did not have, 

 and, therefore, could not then perfect our dissections suffi- 

 ciently to get satisfactory results. "We must refer the reader, 

 therefore, to the experiments detailed in the Appendix.^ 



In watching the light of the Noctiluca, we are reminded 

 of the flash-light of a light-house, — the gleam appearing 

 and disappearing with considerable regularity. It is difficult 

 to trace the light to any particular portion of the body. In 

 Plate I., Fig. III., is shown the supposed luminous organs, 

 which would seem to show that there are luminous spots. 

 Sometimes the light seems to pervade the entire body ; again, 

 to be in the outer skin or cuticle. When the light appears 

 after an intermission, the spots referred to become luminous 

 first, the light extending to the outer surface. 



The conditions most favorable for respiration produce the 

 greatest exhibitions of light ; thus, if the water is constantly 

 aerated, or disturbed so that the air has access, the gleam is 

 intensified. If the animal is touched with the point of a 

 needle, the light is quickly visible ; and just before death it 



