The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-10-02

hsh putrefes and the sea water dries up.
II little Of the light giving matter be
scraped on the skins of the herrings and
examined under the microscope. 1t shows
itself to be nothing but colonies or collec-
lions OF bacteria, all living at great
pace, dividing. multiplying and developing
at tremendous rate. Each member OF a
colony is normally roundish In shape, but
In this stage of reproduction 1t IL contin-
ually elongating into a long ellipse, con-
striction appears at the middle and 1t d.
vides into two. Each Of these two In their
turn elongate, become CONSTRUCTED and d.
vide. And so 1t goes on, the process being
often so rapid that short chains are formed,
the various portions being unable to break
away In time The particular bacterium
which Affects herrings and cod Is remark
able for its great luminosity; in fact. 1t ex-
ceeds all other species in this quality
1t IL q curious fact that the addition Of
little sugar to the liquid or the gelatine
on which these phosphor crescent bacteria
are being cultivated increases very much
their power Of producing Light; the sugar
must, however, be used with great moder-
alton, as too much Of it has contrary
effect and checks the luminosity alto
gether The reason for this Is that nearly
all this class Of bacteria require carbon
as nourshment II they are to develop to
their highest powers. Like much Of the
food we eat, 1t Is not essential to them
they can manage very we'll without it, but
they are all the better for having It. Now
sugar Is very largely composed Of carbon,
hence the good results which follow its
presence. Glycerine, which is Of similar
composition. will do almost as well. From
both bacteria can easily withdraw carbon.
Two photo-bacteria have however, been
observed which are somewhat differently
constituted; one Is found around the West
indies and the other IN the North sea, and
neither apparently requires sugar or gly-
cerine in any form; in fact, either Of these
substances. even in the smallest quantity.
appears to be directly injurious. But why
this should be so 1t is not easy to define.
A Hollander named Beyerinck has lately
made a special study Of these photo
bacteria and has experimental with them
in great number Of ways to determine,
4 possible, why they should thus become
illuminated. and II the light plays any no.
table part in their life history; but his re-
suits are, seemingly, all more or less Of a
negative nature He cannot find that it
mas any very important IunCLiOn. Inc
breathing Of these tiny organisms is not,
apparently in any way bound up with IT.:
their nutrition. growth and developmert
60 on quite well even il they are placed
under such conditions that their luminos-
!ty Is arrested In no way, indeed Is 1t
vital process. 1t only seems to depend
on the food which the bacteria feed upon
and the presence Of oxygen. Given suita-
BILE food and plenty Of fresh air and they
exhibit their characteristic light; deprive
them Of one or the other and they no longer
shine.
This knowledge helps us to understa nd
then the phenomenon Of phosphoresence
1t is visible only at night because In the
full glare Of day the greater light over
powers the latter; it is visible at certain
times and seasons because the conditions
are such as to evoke 1t. And what is favor
able for the lighting up Of single bacter,
.um is favorable for all; hence the myriad
multitudes Of infinites.m NAL units, each set
glowing with its tiny light is sufficient in
tho sum total to put whole ocean afiame.
1t would, Of course, be presumptuous and
doubtless erroneous to say that all the
phosphorescence Of the sea is due solely