The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-28
WILL-O'-THE wIsPs.
A study of Phenomenon Most Come
mon In Grnveyards and Marshes.

mon IN OF0NeNnrOH nnu mMraneHs
From the Literary Digest.
The phenomenon variousy known as
will-o'-the-wisp or ck-o'-lantern, con.
sistng of a wandering or elusive light
generally seen in a graveyard or marshy
place, was formerly relegated to the do
main of superstition by scientific men;
but authentic, though rare, observations
becoming multiplied, 1t is now generally
believed to be caused by the issue of some
spontaneously infiammable gas probably
a product of the decay of organic matter
Last summer the phenomena were wit
messed on a large scale and over a long
period of time in a French seaport, AID
we are SO fortunate as to have detailed
account of them from an eyewitness, q
doctor of science, M A. Bleunard, who
writes to La Nature the narrative that
we translate below Says DR.. Bleunard:
THE phenomena known as 'will-o'-the-
wisp appears so rarely that its existence
has been doubted by some scientists. il
is observed most frequently In graveyards
and In muddy channels In graveyards,
where the gas escapes from the soil with
out traversing q layer of water, the will
o'-the-wisp takes the form Of a long flantai
in the water the gas escapes IN bubbles,
that take fire fOn reaching the air, pro-
wreaths OF phosphoric annydrid. These
phenomena can be reproduced artificially
with all their characteristics by burying
in moist soil, or by throwing into the
water some calcium phosphid, a substance
prepared by causing phosphorus vapor to
pass over red-hot lime. Under the action
of the water the phosphid gives off the
gases hydrogen and hydrogen phosphid
which inhame spontaneously on coming
into contact with the oxygen OF the ar
The white rings are due to the combus-
ton Of the phosphorus, which gives Else
to phosphoric anhydrid, a white powder
that takes the form of wreaths. The
formation of wreaths is due solely TO The
issue of the smoke through the circular
opening made by the bubble In isuing
from the water All smoke, while escap-
ing suddenly through a circular hole,
forms similar wreaths.
II had occasion, during the months OF
August and September last to observe
some very numerous and intense will-o'-
the-wisps in the port of Croisic CLoire-In-
ferleure) During several evenings. espe-
cially about the middle of August, the
production OF will-o -the-wisps became so
abundant and manifested itself with so
much energy that the phenomenon was no.
ticed by all the bathers and sailors on the
quays. The sailors were particularly as
tonished, for these will-o -the-wisps we're
entirely new to them. The captain Of the
port Of Croisic, although he had lived
many years In the place, said that this
was the first time In his life that he had
ever seen these singular lights. 1t Is I'M
necessary to add that both bathers and
sailors gave the most fantastic explana-
tions OF the phenomenon.
u owe 1t to the truth 10 confess that at
first thought II was trick OF some chem
ist who was amusing himself by throw
Ing into the sea sticks of calcium phosphid;
but this hypothesis was not admissible.
The bubbles were so large that to produce
them there would have been required
sticks Of huge dimensions, not found In
commerce Besides. the w!ll-o'. tne-wisps
reappeared every tvening AMI over a con-
siderable extent Of water, 30 that Il would
have been necessary to undergo a large
expense quite disproportionate to simple
practical Joke. never saw any one throw
the smallest object into the sea. Finally
all my doubts were removed by the fact
that the bubbles OF gas, which were very
large In August, during the season Of
thunderstorms, became smaller and small
err during September "a the temperature
fell Toward the Goth Of September, when
the phenomenon ceased only very small
bubbles appeared, though perhaps they
were more numerous and scattered over a
very great service. II was then necessary
10 conclude that the productive cause Of
the phosphureted hydrogen underwent va
riations corresponding TO the changes Of
temperature and electric state Of the at |
mOsphere. Just as certain ferments de- |
compose mineral and organic bodies rich |
IN sulphur and produce sulphureted hydro |
gen, so there must exist In the waters Of |
the port Of Croislc ferments hitherto un-
known, capable of accompanying phosphates /
and organic substances rich IN phospho- |
rous, setting fire phosphureted hydrogen. /
Now we know how atmospheric conditions /
act on ferments. On certain days, espc- |
cially during thunder storms, milk sours |
with prodigious rapidly and meat also |
spells In a few hours.
Il will close by giving some details re-
gardng the production OF the wisl-o -the- |
wisps. These were very large and repro
duced on a large scale the well known ex-
pertinent Of bubbles OF phosphureted ny |
drogen obtained by the action OF water on |
calcium phosphd. I observed plainly the |
formation Of the white fumes OF phos- |
phoric anhydrid, and the characteristic |
odOr Of~garlic. Wreaths were not prOdue- /
ed, because Of the constant agitation OF /
the air.
"rho bubbles occurred principally IN the |
two basins that ndi9ln the nfh market. /
whence the refuse IT. often east into the |
water especially the heads OF Fardines. /
They rose somewhat In al parts Of these
basins, bat specially ln certain localities /
whore the tide would heap up the refuse
This part u The port Of croislc y very !