Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-17

PHospHOREsCENCE OF THE SEA.-The phos-
phorescsnce of the sea is one OF the most
charming phenomena that nature 10 all her
wide range of beauty offers 60 our admiring
gaze. Who that has sojourned on the coast,
or traversed the fields OF ocean and witnessed
it in its full spleudor, can ever forget the deep
impression made upon his MUD when be first
saw the dark waves curl over 10 flashing crests
Of light-when his vessels bows poughed up
the waters 10 siIvery burrows, or the rs-
iug food broke 10 sheets of fame or span
giles of diamond brilliancy on the glowiog
beach Well MY We be lost in wonder at so
marvellous, so fairy like spectacle-wel may
We be astoDished at seeing the cold waters
cradles Of fire But our admiration increases
when on Inquiry into the causes ofthe gorgeous
spectacle We learn that it is not the result OF
naumate agencies, magnetic or electrical, but
that it derives it's origin from living source,
aud that the noctiluca miliar!s, globuar gelatl-
| nous auinalcuie nearly related 10 the rhlzo'
pods, is the chief iluminstor Of the seas
This wonderful little creature is just large
enough TO be discerned by the naked eye when
the water 10 which it may be swim ming is con
tanned 10 glass jar exposed 10 the light; and
a tail like appendage marked with transverse
| rings, which serves an instrument OF loco
motion, becomes apparent under slight mag
uifylug power Near the point OF its lmplant'
alton in the body, is definite mouth leading
into large Irregular cavity, apparently chan
nelled out 10 the jelly. white substance OF tht
body. The eXteroal coat Is deDser than the COD
tanned sarcode, and the former sends thread
like prolopgations through the latter, so as tt
divide the entire body into irregular cha m beTs
The nature Of its luminosity says DR.. Gar
pener, lis fouod by microscopic examination
to be very peculiar; for what appears to tht
eye to be uniform glow Is receivable under
sufficient magnifyirg power into a multitude
of evane cent sci tlllatons, and these ar
given forth with Increased intensity wheneyc
the body Of the animal receives any mech anl
Cal sh nck.
To fill up the length of an inch it would re
qulre ITO noctilu &c ranged 10 Il lne, and mi
lloIs could be cortaloed in wiue- glass. Ant
yet in every zone they make the wide surfac
OF the uocturual o"'an glow and sparkle wit
an eish lght.-Phiia North -Anterican.
The VALLEY RAILRoAD-The Valley Rail
road Company having, az stated yesterday, b
a vote of It's stockholders determined that tn
existing arrangement by which theroad Is ope
rated by the Baltimore and Ohio Compan
shall terminate blythe first OF May. good dea
of interest exists as to what will bs the resu
of this action. The Baltimore Sun avs: 81
, il understood that the Baltimore and Ohio wi
not coDseut 10 use the road upon any less taV
, orable terms for itself thao now exists, and a
there are 40 propositions from any other sourc
to ruu the road, the prospect 1T present is tina
after the first of May the running OF trains be
tween Harrisunburg and Stanton will cease
, The Virginia stock holders, it is stated, woul'
prefer to have the road lie idle than that tn
running expenses should bring the company i
deb; they still hope, however, that the Bait
more aud Ohio road will agree to operate tn
road free of expepsc to the company.
January last Robert Bickle, oil Staunton. prC
posed leasing the road for ten years at $50, 90
per annum, but his proposition was not accept
ed. Subsequently the directors telegraphe
to Mr. BlckIe from Baltimore 10 know Whethe
he would lease the road, but MIR. Bioke de
: clined.
VALUABLE PAPERs.-Captain Fowle, meu
Der OF the House from Alexandria, has in b
possession large number of valuable letter
continuing the autographs of Washington
Madison, Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, al
many other prominent Revolutionary soldier
aud statesmen. Some ofthese old letters, no
dim and yellow with age, contain very iotsrss