400 FREAKS OF PLANT LIFE. 



peculiar character which is observed in the slow 

 combustion of phosphorus, and from this resem- 

 blance it has been termed phosphorescent. It may- 

 be that some hypercritical quibbler has disputed 

 publicly the applicability of the term "phosphores- 

 cence " to the light emitted by fungi, on the ground 

 that " no phosphorus has been detected." Perhaps 

 his student-life was passed so much abroad that he 

 has forgotten much of his mother tongue. " Phos- 

 phorescence " implies no presence of phosphorus, but 

 simply " luminous, or shining with a faint light, un- 

 accompanied by sensible heat," hence no apology is 

 necessary for the use of a perfectly legitimate term 

 with its general and acknowledged interpretation. 



The phenomena of light and heat in plants have 

 not as yet received all the investigation which the 

 subject demands. As to the latter, it becomes a 

 question whether the luminosity is an inherent 

 quality of certain species, since it has only been 

 observed in a few, or whether it is an electric condi- 

 tion, depending largely on the atmosphere at the 

 time. The facts at present ascertained do not 

 permit us to suggest any theory, all we can do is to 

 take note of the circumstances, and trust to the 

 future for their elucidation. 



