. Diversions of a naturalist. Natural history. 154 DIVERSIONS OF A NATURALIST oxidized) by the sea-water, the chemical action setting up light-vibrations, but not the usual excess of heat- vibrations to which we are accustomed when light accompanies ordinary " burning " or " ; Other crustaceans of several kinds, of an inch and more in length—transparent, delicate creatures, re- sembling small prawns in appearance—also produce light. Some of them are known by names referring to this fact, such as Lucifer (light-bearer) and Nyctiphanes. Fig. 21.—A Phosphorescent Sh
. Diversions of a naturalist. Natural history. 154 DIVERSIONS OF A NATURALIST oxidized) by the sea-water, the chemical action setting up light-vibrations, but not the usual excess of heat- vibrations to which we are accustomed when light accompanies ordinary " burning " or " ; Other crustaceans of several kinds, of an inch and more in length—transparent, delicate creatures, re- sembling small prawns in appearance—also produce light. Some of them are known by names referring to this fact, such as Lucifer (light-bearer) and Nyctiphanes. Fig. 21.—A Phosphorescent Shrimp (Euphausia pellucida). The lamp-like phosphorescent organs are numbered I to 6. There is another on the outer edge of the stalked eye, making seven in all on each side of the animal. ^, points to the hindermost gill, enlarged. (night-shiner). They possess special lantern-like knobs scattered about on the body, which have transparent lenses, and resemble small bull's-eye lanterns. Some have a row of seven lanterns on each side of the body (Fig. 2 i), but one kind has as many as i 50 dotted about. These lanterns were only a few years ago thought to be eyes, and their elaborate microscopic structure was described as that of an eye. Of course, this was due to the fact that dead preserved specimens were studied, and not the living animal. Some twenty years ago I witnessed a most impressive exhibition of these phos- phorescent shrimps at the house of my friend Sir John. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Lankester, E. Ray (Edwin Ray), Sir, 1847-1929. London Methuen
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Keywords: ., bookauthorlankestereray, booksubjectnaturalhistory, bookyear1915
