The ocean / By P.H. Gosse.

  • Philip Henry Gosse
Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The ocean / By P.H. Gosse. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    382/388 page 358
    definite form, which gave out light when the water was stirred. These were probably Medusce, torn but yet living, as in some cases fragments of these ani- mals are very tenacious of life. Several minute 1Me- dusas of various species gave out light, which seemed to be more vivid on any extraordinary excitement of the animals. A drop of sulphuric acid being put into a glass of water, several bright flashes of light were seen. One of the little animals was taken up in a drop of water on the point of a pen; on a drop of acid being added, it gave out a momentary spark and instantly died. Several new species of luminous animals were discovered by thus mingling acid with quantities of sea water. The light of different spe- cies is found to vary in character; some of the sparks being yellow and dull, others clearer and whiter, and more lasting. The creature which produces the brightest light of all is a kind of sea-worm (Nereis cirrigera) ; it lives in groups or large masses, among the branches of sea-weed ; and when portions of this are thrown on shore by the waves, the animals sur- vive, and continue to shine very brilliantly for several days. In our own seas, a great deal of the light is owing to the presence of an exceedingly minute animal (Noctiluca miliar is), which does not exceed tuoo Pai't °f an inch in diameter. It consists of a transparent globe, with a kind of tail proceeding from one part of the circumference. In the interior may be seen an oval nucleus, not in the centre, from which proceed numerous branching vessels. The luminous property appears to reside in these vessels, which, while the animal is alive, are seen to dilate
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3