68 A SINGULAR SIGIT.

vations, which he constantly repeated every six
hours, and which were never interrupted during
the whole course of the voyage. Shortly after
sailing, he made some important experiments re-
garding the temperature of the water of the ocean,
which demonstrated it was colder in proportion as
the depth increased. On reaching the equator,
the whole crew were greatly astonished by an
appearance which presented itself. One night,
when the heavens were very dark and cloudy, a
bright band, as of phosphorus, covered the water
at the horizon; presently the ocean seemed in a
flame, and sparks of fire appeared to rise from the
surface.”

At first the voyagers supposed this to be the
aurora borealis, which they had not seen; but, on
advancing, they discovered the luminosity was
produced by a countless multitude of small ani-
mals, which appeared like sparks of fire. ‘The
whole surface of the ocean,” says Peron, describing
this phenomenon, “ sparkles and shines everywhere
like a silver stuff, electrified in the dark. Here
the waves roll out in immense sheets of sulphur
and bitumen in flames; there, again, the sca re-
sembles a vast ocean of milk, the limits of which
are lost im the horizon, Brilliant stars by myriads
spring from the depths, of which our fireworks aro
out a feeble imitation. Masses of fire roll over the