TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



47 



ship, wherever two waves strike together or dash over 

 each other, a shallow bluish streak of light, like the 

 reflection of the lightning on the water, is seen. This 

 light differs from that of the globular animalculae 

 in not consisting of single sparks or dazzling masses 

 of light, of a bright yellow colour, but being rather 

 equally diffused, and resembling the faint light that 

 proceeds from burning spirits of wine. We do not 

 pretend at present to decide on the nature of this 

 faint light. It might be considered either as the com- 

 bined reflection of the sparks of light produced by 

 the animalculae, or as the process of restoring the 

 balance of electricity between the single waves, 

 or the sea and the atmosphere, as it appears 

 only on the surface of the clashing and breaking 

 waves. We are almost inclined to adopt the latter 

 opinion, especially when we consider the saltness 

 of the sea water, which increases its electricity, 

 and the corrupt substances in it, by which it is, as 

 it were, rendered more organic and animalised. 

 In all kinds of phosphorescence, oxydation and 

 disoxydation probably act an essential part. 

 Should we be obliged to assume a process of pu- 

 trefaction in the sea, this is also an organic act, in 

 which the putrefying substance, in the same man- 

 ner as what is organic, comes into a relation with 

 the atmosphere. But even putting all foreign 

 substances out of the question, the sea has always 

 a similar relation to the atmosphere, as its water, 

 and the salt dissolved in it, become more oxydated 



