I then passed the water through a very close-woven linen cloth, to try if it would still retain its splendour after such a percolation. But, notwithstanding I shook and agitated it in the most violent manner, I could not excite the least luminousness in it. The linen cloth, however, afforded the most charming spectacle imaginable. It was covered with an infinity of lucid particles; a proof that the water owed its splendour to certain heterogeneous shining corpuscles, copiously disseminated through it. These corpuscles are also very numerous upon the leaves of the alga; from some leaves I have shaken off thirty at least.

To the naked eye they appear smaller than the finest hairs; their colour is of a deep yellow, and their substance delicate beyond imagination. But having a mind to examine them more curiously, I furnished myself with a good microscope, and was soon convinced that these luminous atoms are really living animals of a very singular structure; and, from the brightness of their lustre, I thought myself authorised to name them marine glow-worms.

These little animals, similar in some respect to caterpillars, and other insects of that species, are composed of eleven articulations, or annuli, a number which, according to the celebrated Malpighi, is peculiar to the whole vermicular race. Upon these annuli, and near the belly of the animal, are a sort of small fins or wings, which seem to be the instruments of its motion. It has two small horns issuing from the fore part of its head, and its tail is cleft in two.

I have already observed, that these worms are most numerous where the alga abounds. Upon this weed they appear about the beginning of summer, and soon after multiply prodigiously, and spread themselves over the whole surface of the waters. It is probably the heat of the season that causes these animals to lay their eggs, it having the same influence upon other aquatic insects, according to the discoveries of the learned Mr. Derham. We learn also from M. de Reaumur's observations, that terrestrial insects of this species, shine only in the heighth of summer, and that their shining is caused by a particular effervescence excited in them during the time of their copulation.

We read of shining flies, which in several parts of the world, give light to travellers in the hottest nights of summer. We are told too that in some parts of the Indies, there are great numbers of shining worns, which, in very hot nights, emit luminous particles so copiously that the bushes and thickets seem to be on fire. But in one respect our marine glow-worms excel all their lucid brethren of the

terrestrial species, for these latter emit light only at a particular spot near the tail, whereas the whole body of the former is luminous. There is also one further particular to be observed, with respect to these marine animals, which is, that they do not emit the least light so long as they are still and motionless, but the parts of their little bodies are no sooner moved and agitated, than they begin to sparkle with a very extraordinary lustre. From hence may we not conclude, that their shining depends upon their motion, and is probably excited by a strong vibration of the constituent parts of their bodies, since the luminous effusions, or corruscations, seem to be exactly proportionable to the briskness and vigour of their motions.

It is to be remarked too, that when one of these little animals is cut to pieces, every piece emits a vivid light for some time, probably so long as the convulsive motion of the dying parts continues; for we know that the parts of certain fishes and insects will continue to move some time after they have been separated from the rest of the body.

After this, we need not wonder that mariners and fishermen foretel a storm, or change of weather, when they see the sea and lakes shine in an unusual manner; for at such times it may be expected that these little animals are agitated and disturbed more than common. The same thing is observable in flies and other winged insects, which are strongly affected upon an approaching alteration of the weather, and fly about in great disorder.

Many philosophers of the first rank, have imagined that the luminousness of the sea-water, in the night season, is occasioned by some electric matter. The surface of the sea, say they, having been exposed all the summer to the impulse and action of the solar rays, when it begins to be agitated by the autumnal winds, throws out luminous sparks perfectly similar to those which issue from electrical bodies.' But ocular demonstration now convinces us that this brightness is to be ascribed to these little animals. The shining of these animals may indeed proceed from electric matter contained in them, and agitated by vibration or some other internal motion; but whether it be so or not, I will not undertake to determine.

1753, Nov.

MR. URBAN,

XV. Electricity in Cats.

THE phenomena of electricity, which has so many surprising properties, seem to be of two sorts, natural and artificial; the last is to be obtained from all bodies naturally susceptible of it, as glass, &c. in which the property lies dormant till excited to act by friction, or some other violent

motion.

Natural electricity is common almost to all animals, especially those destined to catch their prey by night: cats have this property in the greatest degree of any animal we are acquainted with; their fur or hair is surprisingly electrical. If it be gently raised up it avoids the touch till it be forced to it, and by stroking their backs in the dark, the emanations of electrical fire are extremely quick and vibrative from it, followed by a crackling noise as from glass tubes when their electrical atmosphere is struck. It appears to me of singular use to animals destined to catch their prey in the dark; they give a sudden and quick erection to their fur, which raises the electrical fire, and this, by its quickness rushing along the long pointed hairs over their eyes, and illuminating the pupilla, enables them to perceive and seize their prey. It would be worth while to inquire whether all the wild sort that catch their prey with the paw, are not endowed with the same vibrations of electrical fire. The cat is the only domestic animal of that species; but such a discovery in the ferocious kind, would still be an additional demonstration of that infinite wisdom, so easily discoverable in the most minute operations of all the works of God, and so perfectly adapted to a proper end.

I am yours, &c.

1754, March.

G.

XVI. Heads for a Natural History of Great Britain.

The following Queries are proposed to Gentlemen in the several parts of Great Britain, where they reside, with a view of obtaining, from their Answers, a more perfect account of the Antiquities and Natural History of our Country, than has yet appeared.

1. WHAT is the ancient and modern name of the parish, and its etymology?

2. By what parishes is it bounded, E. W. N. and S. and what is its length and breadth?

3. What number of hamlets or villages are in it? their names and situation?

4. What are the number of its houses and inhabitants? 5. What number of people have been married, christened, and buried, for the space of 20 years last past, compared with the first 20 years of the register? When did the register begin? If there are any curious remarks made therein, please to give an account thereof.

6. In what manor, diocese, deanery, and hundred, does the church stand?

7. Is it dedicated to any saint, and when and by whom was it built?

8. Of what materials is it built, has it a tower or spire? 9. What are its dimensions, number of aisles, chancels, chapels, and bells, and the inscriptions thereon?

10. What may the living be computed to be worth ? 11. Is it a rectory or a vicarage, and who are the present and past incumbents, as far back as you can trace? 12. Who is the present or former patron?

13. Are there any and what lands belonging to the glebe or vicarage?

14. If a vicarage, who is possessed of the great tythes, what may their reputed value be, and is any modus paid thereout, and to whom?

15. Are there any and what manors in the parish, and to whom do they belong?

16. Are there any vaults or burial places peculiar to any ancient or other families? What are they, and to whom do they belong?

17. Are there any ancient or modern remarkable monuments, or grave stones, in the church or chancel, &c.? Please to give the inscriptions and arms, if any, on the same, if worthy notice, especially if before the 16th

century.

18. Are there any remarkable ones in the church yard? Please to give an account what they are. Are there any paintings in the windows either of figures or arms? Add a copy or description.

19. Are there any tables of benefactions or other inscriptions which are worthy notice, on any of the walls of the church, either within or without? Please to insert them at full length.

20. Are there any particular customs or privileges or remarkable tenures in any of the manors in the parish?

21. What number of gentlemen's houses, farms and cottages, may be in the parish?

22. What ancient manor or mansion house, seats, or villas, are in the parish?

23. Is there any chapel of ease in the parish, how is it supported, and who is the present and late incumbent, and of what value may the cure be supposed to be?

24. Are there any annual or other processions, perambulations, or any hospital, alms, or school house; by whom and when founded, and who has the right of putting people into them?

25. Have you any wake, Whitsun-ale, or other customs of that sort used in the parish?

26. Is there any great road leading through the parish, and from what noted places?

27. What common, or quantity of waste land may be in the parish?

28. What are the present or ancient prices of provisions, beef, veal, mutton, lamb, pork, pigs, geese, ducks, chicken, rabbits, butter, cheese, &c.?

29. What is generally a day's wages for labourers in husbandry and other work, and what per day for carpenters, bricklayers, masons, tailors, &c.?

30. What is usually the fuel? Is it coal, wood, heath, furze, turf, peat, or what; and the prices paid on the spot?

31. What distance is it from London and the chief towns round, and what is the price of carriage per hundredweight?

32. Are there any crosses, or obelisks, or any thing of that nature erected in the parish?

33. Are there any remains or ruins of monasteries or religious houses? Give the best account thereof you can.

34. Are there any Roman, Saxon, or Danish castles, camps, altars, roads, forts, or other pieces of antiquity remaining in your parish; what are they, and what traditions are there, or historical accounts of them?

35. Have there been any medals, coins, or other pieces of antiquity dug up in your parish; when and by whom, and in whose custody are they?

36. Have there been any remarkable battles fought, on what spot, by whom, when, and what traditions are there relating thereto ?

37. Has the parish given either birth or burial to any man, eminent for learning or other remarkable or valuable qualifications?

38. Are there in any of the gentlemen's seats in the parish,