Experiments and observations on the light which is spontaneously emitted, with some degree of permanency, from various bodies. / By Nathaniel Hulme, M.D. F.R.S. and A.S. From the Philosophical Transactions.

  • Nathaniel Hulme
Date:
1800
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Experiments and observations on the light which is spontaneously emitted, with some degree of permanency, from various bodies. / By Nathaniel Hulme, M.D. F.R.S. and A.S. From the Philosophical Transactions. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/34 page 10
    OBSERVATIONS, Obs. 1. The above experiments clearly prove, as I apprehend* that this light is a constituent principle of marine fishes: and that it is separated, by the menstruum employed on this occasion, in the same way that the principles of any other body are sepa¬ rated, by the menstruum fitted to decompose it. They like¬ wise show, that it is not partially but wholly incorporated with every part of their substance, and makes a part thereof, in the same manner as any other constituent principle, Obs. 2. Light is probably the first constituent principle that escapes, after the death of marine fishes. The experiments of the first Section teach us that it appears soon after death, even in fishes which, to the eye, seem quite fresh and sweet; or, at least, long before any sensible putrescence takes place. And we have seen that the flesh and roes, infused in the saline men- struums, continued to emit light for several days, without un¬ dergoing any apparent putrefactive change. Obs. 3. The experiments likewise render it probable, that no offensive putrefaction takes place in the sea, after the death of such myriads of animals as must needs daily perish in the vast ocean, (quite contrary to what happens on land;) and that the flesh of marine fishes remains pretty sw^eet for some time, and may become wholesome food for many kinds of those which still remain alive. An eminent instance this, of the wisdom of the Creator, in the construction of the aqueous part of the world, which comprehends, by far, the greatest portion of the terra¬ queous globe, and is the most replete with animal life !
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