SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE FLASHES OF LIGHT FROM FLOWERS. 193 
having- observed the flash from the Orange-lily, the anthers of which are a consider- 
able space distant from the petals, found that the light proceeded from the petals 
only, whence he concludes, that this electric light is caused by the pollen, which in 
flving off is scattered upon the petals." — Darwin s Botanic Garden, vol. ii. page 182. 
I am not aware of any other author who has added any new fact to those already 
mentioned by Darwin, 
I have often observed the curious circumstance of the flashing- of flowers, with- 
out being at all able to ascertain its cause. Sometimes I have been almost led to 
suppose it to be an optical deception, occasioned by an impression made on the eye 
by the bright colour of the flowers from which the coruscations seemed to proceed. 
But at times I have seen the flashes of light so vivid and plain, and extend to so 
great a distance, that it is impossible for me longer to entertain that opinion ; 
besides, too, I have seen the flashes proceed from pale-coloured and even white 
flowers, which would not make that impression on the eye. On the whole, I am 
much inclined to believe it to be electric, particularly from a circumstance which 
occurred a few years ago. In walking in my garden in the evening, in which was 
a considerable quantity of the Nasturtium in bloom, not at all thinking of the 
flashing of plants, I was struck by the very vivid flashes that proceeded from them, 
the scintillations were the most brilliant that I had ever observed, and at the same 
time the sky was overcast with a thunder cloud ; directed by this circumstance, I 
have on several occasions looked for the flashes, when in the evening- there has 
appeared electric clouds collecting, and have always found them, at that time, most 
to abound, and to be most brilliant. My observation, in this respect, seems to diff"er 
from that of M. Haggren, who only witnessed plants to flash on clear nights. 
All the plants mentioned by M. Haggren I have observed to flash, with the 
addition of many others. The Nasturtium is that in which I have most frequently 
seen the most brilliant flashes ; the scarlet geranium I have observed as vivid as any 
flower, but I have seen them in many lighter coloured flowers, though much fainter, 
and even in white flowers, particularly in the white rose, and a white species of 
senothera. 
I have troubled you with these particulars, in the hope that yourself, or some of 
your correspondents, may have some further facts on the subject to communicate, 
or that at all events some of your readers may be led to make observations and 
experiments in regard to so interesting a subject. 
