The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-06-01

lists Say Can Now Be Manufactured for Mans
Use, illuminate Thirty Feet Ahead of the
Animal
and cuticle which become perfectly trans;
parent. The light proceeds from small
rounded granules of photogenin, investing
the cycoplasm of the cells in all their parts
In adults, the ventral light cell layer of
tissue is accompanied by dorsal reflector
layer. The control of the air supply of the
end cell, with its muscular power ant de-
quate nerve supply, would account fofsehS
control of the flashes of light of the fire -
We must at the outset separate the lumi-
nous pigment of animals and plants from
electricity. The cold light produced BY:
nature has disclosed no electric quality. 1t,
has, therefore, nothing to do with the power
to administer electric shocks common to the
electric cells, rays, etc 1t is also notable that.
so far as is known, and have investigated the ;
subject widely, none Of the fishes provided"
with electrical apparatus have also luminous :,
pigment Electricity is another form of pro- .
lection from enemies as we'll as capture Of
prey :
The most conspicuous example of produc-
ton Of cold light by animals, to my mind,
exists among the pediculates, or angler fish, ..
Of which there are six groups. They are
known as angler fish, since all of them have
two spincs which project from the snout
which act as baited rods to lure prey. In
dark places these rods become luminous, in=,,'
citing curiosity in the victims. Whatever the
variation in rods, structure and appearances
OF the many different genera and species Of
pctllCulatcs the result is the same When the =
victim approaches, often entering the huge
open mouths. the ponderous jaws snap to-
gcther, impaling the prey on teeth that bend
backward so it cannot draw out.
Many Of these most luminous pediculates.
live in deep water, far below the penetrable
depths of the suns rays We are indebted
for much of our knowledge of their very ex
stence to their own mistakes For instance, &:
they will seize a fish twice as large as them !
selves soon stopping up the gullct completely,
The result is that gases form and buoy both
the pcdculate and his victim to the surface
where he is picked up either by laymen or
scientists and sent to some museum. Some Of
the padiculatcs are known by no other means,
having escaped capture by deep sea travis :, ,
In the ccratiids one of the groups of ang-,
Ter fish, the mterspinal bone is generally di- =
rected forward. largely concealed. The joint
ing spincs project upward, forming fishing
rods, firmly attached to the backbone OF the =
animal, so that his prey or enemy cannot well
wrench it from him. On the end of the rod :
is bulb with luminous surface, accompanied
BY various luminous frills or appendages, =
developed 1t is not notable that Of ;. :
III the pedculates, the species Himantolophi
If Japan, sometimes found in the Atlantic, has
he most conspicuous luminous development.
lis fishing rods or spnes, arc very stout, with -
10Th on the rods and around the bulbs Natc.
ally an expert wonders if this is the fish
rom which Professor Harvey is obtaining :
luminous pigment i'll quantities. =.
Insects. worms and fishes are not the only -.
ource of supply. There is luminous fungus :.
living a light so bright that if placed upon a
ewspapcr al night it will enable one to read -
he surrounding text.