142 LIVING LIGHTS. 



made its appearance, the luminous appearance ceased. In 

 many cases timid persons have thrown water upon such 

 light, but without effect. Alcohol and certain acids, how- 

 ever, seem to extinguish it. Boyle was curious enough to 

 place a piece of shining veal in the receiver of an air- 

 pump, which had no perceptible effect upon it, showing 

 that there was no combustion, as we understand it. He 

 also used his luminous meat as a lamp, and states that 

 it made a "splendid show." A printed paper was placed 

 over the light spots, and the type made out without difiS- 

 culty. 



If heat is given out by this light, the instruments of the 

 present day fail to show it. Every surgeon has had experi- 

 ence with this phenomenon in the course of his studies, yet 

 it is still unexplained. 



We have observed living forms producing light from spe- 

 cial plates, or from the mucilaginous envelope of their bodies, 

 and when dead the same curious light appears for a limited 

 time. Dr. Phi^json examined a luminous ray with great 

 care, thinking to find traces of phosphorus in the luminous 

 grease, but it was entirely wanting. The little boring-shell 

 pholas, which we have seen is a brilliant light-giver when 

 alive, is equally so after death ; its luminosity continuing in 

 honey for a year, as previously described. 



A boat containing dead mackerel often presents the 

 appearance of being loaded with coals of fire, each fish 

 gleaming with a soft phosphorescent light, that seems to arise 

 in the greasy mucus which covers them. Place one of these 

 luminous fishes in the water, and the latter will soon assumfe 

 a like appearance. Vegetables piled in cellars often appear 

 phosphorescent, especially potatoes and cantelopes. In a 



