Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-01-20
PHOSPHORESCENCE.
Animal and Vegetable Light Rank
Among Natures Mysteries.

Animal and Vegetable Light Rank
Among Natures Mysteries.
Animal phoSphoreScence is one Of the
most surprising and least understood
Of natures phenomena. The pale, blu
ish white light of the glowworm has
been found by naturalists To be de-
pendent upon the motion of the insects
body or legs. From this il would seem
that the phOsphOrcscence depends upon
some nervous action. regulated at pleas
ure by the insect. for il has the power
Of obscuring il entirely. If the glow
worm Ice crushed and the face or hands
rubbed with ii. luminous streaks like
those produced 10y phosphorus will ap-
pear. They shine more brightly in oXy-
gen gas and in nitrous acid.
The power Of emitting luminous rays
belongs 10 several varieties Of fly and
three species Of beetle of the genus
elater. One of the most brilliant of
these is the great lantern fly Of South
America, which gives enough light 10
enable a person 10 read by the rays
from single insect Numerous classes
| Of these flies are found in Surinam,
/ where they illuminate the darkness in
n most remarkable manner.
In some of the boys Of Ireland lives
n worm which gives out bright green
| light, a fitting color for the Emerald
Isle. There are many other kinds of
| insects which become luminous in the
! dark
Yet there are many curious instances
Of phosphorescence in dead animals
and vegetable matter. the lobster
among crustaceans, the whiting among
fishes and decayed wood being striking
examples. Their emission OF light
seems To depend, however, not upon
putrefaction, for as this progresses
their luminosity diminishes, but upon
certain unknown atmospheric condi
tons. This phOsphorescence of decayed
matter has been regarded as somewhat
different from the slow combustion OF
phosphorus, but upon examination al
the chemical conditions are found to b.
the same.
The strange phosphorescent quality
of some plants and flowers is not ex
, actly the same as that possessed b!
Y animal matter, but it is as little under
stood. Il seems to be an absorption o
. light and subsequent liberation of il
l If n nasturtium is plucked during sun
shine and carried into dark room, tn
eye after it has reposed for few nc
ments, will discover the flower by tn
light emitted from its leaves
~ The phOsphorescence Of the sea is du
TO living animal, which gives out il
Z light under nervous excitement, o
:, when it is stirred by the motion of
e passing vessel
An Artful Beggar.
;, An old Partisan mendicant was re
in Gently noticed TO manifest apparent ca
. price in selecting the objects for hi
Importantly. He would allow a nun
III Der Of persons to pass UNDECIDED an
Ie then attach himself to others and TAX
:; 10 denial a bride Of half a franc froI
n curious spectator induced him TO Civ
sd his reason. Il have IA code of rule
which | invariably follow" said h,
Thus never ask aims of one who la
dined, as rosbif renders a man selfisl
nor of stout men, as it bores them I
of stop. nor OF any one putting on the
!, gloves. nor OF a lady alone. but alway
AZ OF any one manifestly going 70 Dime
ld Of people walking together, as the
of amour propre makes them generous;
4 officers in grand uniforms and OF pc
~ pie apparently seeking favor from IL
government. as they think that a gi
will bring them luck."-Golden Penny