St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-06-14
A MAGNIFICENT SCENE.
The Ocean illuminated By Thousands
Ph0sph0resceat Fshes.


OF the various phOsphorescent Great
ores which abound in the warm waters
Of the tropics, the pyrcsoma. or are-body'
is among the most curious in its habits
Of living, and its wonderful power oi
Illuminating the water. This little
lantern of the sea Is SO carefully do
scribcd by DR.. Gardner. IS he saw
it on his voyage to Brazil and to Ceylon,
that his account can not fail to be OF In
tercst. On his passage from England,
and while about two degrees Of south
latitude and twenty-six degrees OF west
longitude, he was called up by the cap
tain about half-past ten o'clock at
night.
When reached the deck. one Of the
most magnificent scenes imaginable
presented itself. All round the ship to
as great . distance as tho eye could
reach the swell, which was running
pretty high. was emitting from its sur
face at short intervals long, broad
sheets Of phosphorescent light which
continued bright only second or two.
and then disappeared.
The continued glare of these long
streams Of light, their sudden appear.
auce and disappearance. IS il detached
portions of sheet-lightning wero Hash.
ing from wave % wave, gave wild and
terrific aspect to the surface OF the
ocean. Tho reflection from 1t was 90
great that the sails Of the ship were
illumined by the glare.
The ships wake for about hfty yards
vas one continuous stream Of pale yel'
low light, upon which, ever and anon,
were floating away and becoming ex-
tinct curious masses Of circular shape,
varying from halt . foot to two feet in
breadth, of . lvid hue, similar TO that
which burning sulphur emitA These
masses retained their livid, hame-like
appearance till they were about six OF
eight yards from the ship, when they
gradually became extinct their beauti.
full color contrasting singulsrly with the
pale yellow stream ON which they
floated.
This curious state Of the sea lasted
only about quarter of IN hour, after
which the water assumed its usual
aspect, the foam at the ships bow pre-
senting only the sparkling appearance
which it usually exhibits within the
tropics.
1t is we'll known that the circular
masses Of light which haye described
are produced from aggregated masses
of very small marine animals, to which
the name of pyrosoma is given. ] did
not, however, capture any, IS my tow
ing net was at this time out Of order.
but during my voyage to Ceylon was
more fortunate.
On the 25th Of November, in three or
four degrees of north latitude and twen-
ty-three degrees Of west longitude. with
cloudy weather and the thermometer at
eighty-one at noon, We came shortly
after dark into field Of these animals.
and though the brilliancy Of their light
was not SO great IS on the former occa-
sion, they were more numerous, for the
ship sailed through them for several
hours.
They were seen in broad shoals at
great but irregular distances from each
other. The towing-net soon procured
me large supply Of the extraordinary
animals Of which these shoals were COM
posed. They gave out . bright pale.
yellowish green light which they re-
tanned for some time after they were
brought on board. .Ht.-s Hff.-'-
Each mass was shaped not unlike the
finger of . glove, being hollow. and
closed at one end. They varied little
in size, but were generally sbout four
inches in length. The little 3nimals Of
which these masses are made up are
placed horizontally, and Lie closely
packed over each other, their heads
being toward the outer surface. When
kept in glass in salt water, they soon
separated from each other. and, being
very transparent, were then scarcely to
be distinguished from the water. They
taste exactly like fresh Oysters
Youths Companion :.