Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 November 1893 — LIVING LANTERNS. [ARTICLE]

LIVING LANTERNS.

How the Deep Sea Is Lighted by Its Finny Inhabitants. Away down in the dark depths of the ocean there are living lanterns that are borne about to light up the darkness. A queer tish called the “midshipmite” carries the brightest and most striking of all these sea torches. Along its back, under it, and at the base of its fins there are small disks that glow with a clear, phosphorescent light like rows of shining buttons on the young middy’s uniform. In this way it gets its name “midshipmite,” by which young sailors in the navy are often called. These disks are exactly like small bull's eye lanterns with reg-i ular lenses and reflectors. The lenses gather the rays and the reflectors throw them out again. There is a layer of phosphorescent cells between the two. and the entire effect is as perfect as if made by some skillful optician. Many other fish have “reflectors.” many have “lenses,” but the “midshipmite” is the only kind that has such splendid specimens of both. The fish is so constructed that when it is frightened by some devouring sea monster it can close its lenses and hide itself in the darkness. It can turn its lantern off and on at will, and then it is always “filled” and ready when wanted. Another marine animal has a luminous bulb that hangs from its chin, and thus throws the light before it to warn it of the approach of enemies. Still another upholds a big light from the extremity of the dorsal fin. Others again have constant supplies of a luminous oil that runs down their sides from the fins, making a bright and constant light all around. Most of the jelly-fish are phosphorescent. The:e live far down on the very floor of the ocean, where it is always dark and gloomy. The dwellers in ’ these watery depths are provided with lights of their own shining bodies and fins, which illumine their home with a strange though no doubt cheerful glare.