YELLOW BUCKTHORN 
1 1 
The wonderful spectacle attracted the attention of people 
who were strolling along the sea-front or on the piers for several 
hours, and has since been the subject of much discussion. 
Phosphorescence is frequently seen in the harbour at Lowestoft, 
where its presence is attributed to floating putrescent matter, 
such as is usually too plentiful in the neighbourhood of hsh 
wharves ; and the phenomenon is not uncommon in the North 
Sea, especially during the summer and autumn months. In the 
present instance there can be little doubt that the display was 
due to the presence of myriads of phosphorescent animalcula;, 
similar to those known to inhabit southern seas. Putrescent 
matter cannot have been sufficiently abundant to have diffused 
a brilliant luminosity so far out to sea, that is, unless one accepts 
the theory that the luminous state of the sea is the result of the 
decomposition of innumerable minute animalculae, which, in 
consequence of a spell of calm weather, have died upon or near 
the surface of the water. In any case there seem to be grounds 
for the belief that such phenomena are considerably influenced 
by meteorological conditions, and it is for this reason that note 
has been taken of the weather, and air, and water temperature 
at the time and just before the occurrence of September 14. 
W. A. Dutt. 
YELLOW BUCKTHORN. 
(Hippopha'i rhamnoidcs L.) 
HIS very pretty shrub is a good deal cultivated in 
gardens and shrubberies by the sea-side, but I do 
not remember to have seen it inland, nor do I know 
whether it will grow away from the sea. I am, 
however, now making the e.xperiment by sending seeds and 
cuttings to my own home in Nottinghamshire. 
The shrub is not as well known as it deserves to be. It 
grows from about one and a-half to perhaps five feet high. 
The leaves are narrow and grey, of the colour of the foliage 
of the olive, almost white underneath. The berries, of a bright 
orange yellow, cluster in masses along the stalks, under the 
crown of leaves. The grey, green and yellow together are an 
uncommon and very harmonious combination of colour. 
Whether it is really indigenous I do not know, and should 
be glad of information. It grows wild on the Folkestone cliffs. 
* [{ippophae is certainly indigenous. It is recorded in Watson’s “ Topo- 
graphical Botany ” from East Sussex, East Kent, East Suffolk, Norfolk, North 
Lincolnshire, and North east Yorkshire ; but it is said to be “probably planted” 
in other counties. — E d. A'.A'. 
