Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1893 — Peculiar Phosphorescent Lights. [ARTICLE]

Peculiar Phosphorescent Lights.

An amusing story is told in connection with Professor Henry, of the Smithsonian Institution, who died some iourtven years ago. It is tol iby a gentleman'Who once traveled from Montreal ro Boston with the Pro essor. lie sa.s hat while they were waiting for a steamer the Professor was talkative and communicative in his <;u et way and was lull of incidents of travel and adventure. ‘Soon the s'eamer appeared in sigh , an I while she was approa lib g us the 1 rufossor sat upon the wharf looking Ireamiiy at her. Presently h - a oils a himself and si;,id: “‘I see a peculiar sparkle of (lie wave < near the : ide ot the steamer where the run sliiies upon her.’ • n va - almost sunset. " . wonder went he cauae of t is I have semt.pho - hoie cent-light etorerhot nor-w —:r-" .fitly like tin . An ( » e, there it i a s>' upon the o'her, the darker side oi the steamer. Well, certainly that is very curio is!’ “v. e ail ioo’o.l. Indeed,)' ddreeni remarkable. Piist upon the bright side of the steamer, and then upon the d ~k ide, would appear there curious Ha-has of light, and disappear almost ins antiy. They see i.ed to come at regular intervals, and it '.as a strange and beaut lul s gilt. “(.•ur reveries were presently disturbed by the approach of one' of the custom- inspectors. He glanced at us with some c rlo-ity and thou said: ‘i dosin’ at thepi flashes?’ "‘Yes,’ replied the Profo sor, rousing i self fn,mi Ills absorbed mod tation of pheiiomcn n. ‘1 wonder what they ‘v ii,’ aid iho in pector, carelessly, •lo in’, hot a he - they're thro vin’ out i the a ii pit .’ “ The i’r-.ffe sor was nonplc ed for a ■on on'. Then he recovered h;; senses ,tni said quicty. ‘Well, well, live and o aru—dive and lourn!’ and lapsed into '1 n o.”