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LXII. Experiments to prove that the Z/«- 
minoufnefs of the Sea arifes from the Pu^ 
trefaEiion of its Animal Subftances, By 
John Canton, M. A, and F,R,S. 
Read Dec. 2i,X SHALL not enter into the confider- 
*769* Jl^ ation of the feveral opinions of philo- 
fophers concerning the luminous appearance of the 
fea, as not one of them, that I know of, has been 
well fupported j but I fhall immediately relate a few 
experiments, which any perfon may very eafily make, 
and which, I think, will be allowed to point out the 
true caufe of that appearance, when compared with 
the defcriptions given of it, by thofe who have ac- 
curately obferved it. 
Experiment I. 
Into a gallon of fea- water, in a pan about 14 
inches in diameter, I put a fmall frefli whiting, June 
14, 1768, in the evening; and took notice that 
neither the whiting, nor the water when agitated, 
gave any light. A Fahrenheit’s thermometer in the 
cellar, where the pan was placed, flood at 54 degrees. 
The 15th, at night, that part of the fifli which was 
even with the furface of the water was luminous, but 
the water itfelf was dark, 1 drew the end of a ftick 
through 
