Zoological Researches, and Illustrations, or, Natural History of nondescript or imperfectly Known Animals Volume 1; in a Series of Memoirs illustrated by numerous figures
(This historic book may have numerous typos and missing te...)
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1830 Excerpt: ... applies to more than a limited number of cases; thus in luminous Insects, which are all of them crepuscular or nocturnal, it has been supposed to serve the purpose of bringing the sexes together, which is extremely probable; but when we investigate this property as it occurs in marine animals, this is evidently not the true solution, as the major part of them have the sexes united, are destitute of visual organs, and shine equally in their young or larva state. From the vast number and variety of these last, and from observing all such to be more or less translucent, added to the circumstance that the luminosity seems to be in every case intimately connected with their irritability, and is apparently under the controul of the individual, we should be tempted to consider it as an evidence of volition, or the transmission of the nervous influence in a condensed form, to some of the organs of the animal requiring an encreased energy to counteract the unusual external force which operates upon them for the moment, for it may be remarked, that it is in general the contact of other bodies, 0r the concussion of the waves which calls the luminous property forth j we must give up this explanation however, when aware, that numerous translucent marine animals do not shew any luminosity, and that it is not found but in particular species of the same Genus. Meditating upon this subject, I think it not improbable, that the Deity, who has done nothing in vain and whoso Omniscience extends to every epoch, foreseeing that man would invent the means of tempting the trackless ocean, and explore the most distant regions of our Planet has given it as one means of rendering his nights less gloomy, and of diminishing the number of his dangers; especially if we consider, that thi...
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