DEEP-SEA LAMPS 
59 
illuminate not only the waters, but the air, to a 
considerable distance. Sir Wyville Thompson states, 
that near the Cape Verde Islands he saw the sea in 
such a blaze of phosphorescence that, though there 
was no moon, “ it was easy to read the smallest print, 
sitting at the after-port in the cabin ; while the bows 
shed, on either side, rapidly widening wedges of 
radiance, so vivid as to throw the sails and riggings 
into distinct lights and shadows.” But, great as is 
the number of luminous creatures in the shallow 
waters, the percentage among those dredged from the 
deeps is greater, though their brilliant glow, when 
lying upon the decks of the exploring ships, is no 
guide to the possible intensity of their light in the 
pressure under which they live. Many of the deep- 
sea species possess light-projecting organs in numbers 
and perfection unrivalled by the shallow-water forms. 
Some of the fish have double rows of tiny lamps 
running the whole length of their bodies, like the rows 
of port-holes in an ocean steamer’s sides. These are 
supplemented by other sets of less clearly divided 
light-organs, arranged in clusters and groups of fifty 
or a hundred. Other deep-sea fishes have bull’s-eye 
lanterns set beneath their eyes, projecting their light 
“ full-a-head.” Sections cut through these extra- 
ordinary organs show that above the phosphorus- 
burning vessel lies first a layer of “ reflectors,” and 
lastly, a lens for concentrating the beams. Perhaps 
the strangest development of this power of illumina- 
tion is in an angler-fish, found at a depth of 14,700 
