76*2 
NEREIS. — SEA TURTLE. 
On the whole, it may, however, be plainly observed, that nothii)^ 
but dissection can satisfy every inquiry, and remove every doubt ; 
and if on investigation it should be proved to be an imposition, the 
observer, though convinced of the fraud, would be half tempted to 
forget the author of the deception, in his admii'ation of the excellence 
of its execution. 
The Noctilucous Nereis. 
This is a kind of worm, w'hich inhabits almost every sea, and is 
one ot the causes of the luminousness of the water. These creatures 
shine like glow-worms, but with a brighter splendour, so as at night 
to make the element appear as if on fire all around. Their bodies 
are so minute as to elude examination by the naked eye. They are 
seen upon all kinds of marine plants, but they often leave them, and 
are found upon the surface of the water. They are frequent at all 
seasons, but especially in summer before stormy weather, when they 
are more agitated and more luminous. Their numbers and wonder- 
ful agility, added to their pellucid and shining quality, do not a little 
contribute to their illuminating the sea, for myriads of those animal- 
cules may be contained in the portion of a cup of sea-water. Innu- 
merable quantities of them lodge in the cavities of the scales of 
fishes, and to them, probably, do the fishes owe their noctilucous 
quality. 
I have observed with great attention,” says Barbut, “ a fish just 
caught out of the sea, wdiose body was covered with them, and have 
examined them in the dark ; they twist and curl themselves with W'on- 
derful agility, but soon retire out of our contracted sight ; probably 
their glittering numbers dazzle the eye, and their extreme minuteness 
eludes our researches. It is to be observed, that when the unctuous 
moisture that covers the scales of fishes is exhausted by the air, 
these animals are not to be seen, nor are the fishes then noctilu- 
cous ; that matter being perhaps their nourishment when living, as 
they themselves afford food for many marine animals. They do not 
shine in the day-time, because the solar rays are too powerful for their 
light, how'ever aggregate or immense their number.” Their appear- 
ance is particularly brilliant w'hen the wind is in the east and south- 
east points, and in the winter nights preceded by a w'arm day. If 
W'ater containing these animalcules be kept warm, they retain their 
light tw'o whole days after they are dead, but in cold water lose it in 
eight hours: motion and w'armth wldch, increase their vivacity and 
strength, increase their light also. 
The Sea Turtle. 
This creature is found in the island of Ascension, and also in 
other places in the South Sea. The shell is so very strong, that it 
can carry more than six hundred pounds on its back, or as many men 
as can stand on it loaded. It digs round holes in the sand, in which 
it lays a vast number of eggs yearly, to the amount of one thousand, 
it is said. It broods on them during the night. Its flesh is of a 
