Subject
Phosphorescence Books
Best books
E. Newton (Edmund Newton) Harvey
The Nature of Animal Light
"The Nature of Animal Light" by E. Newton Harvey is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The book explores the phenomenon of bioluminescence, specifically focusing on the mechanisms behind light production in animals and plants. It delves into the historical context of light-emitting organisms and aims to provide a detailed analysis of the physical and chemical processes involved in bioluminescence. The opening of the book sets the stage by introducing the concept of bioluminescence and tracing its recognition throughout history, highlighting early theories that attempted to explain its occurrence in various organisms. Harvey discusses ancient observations of luminous animals by notable figures such as Aristotle and Robert Boyle, detailing the understanding of luminous phenomena, such as the glow of certain fungi and the phosphorescence of marine organisms. The author emphasizes the diverse distribution of luminous species across various biological groups, establishing that while some light production is secondary (due to bacterial infection), many organisms generate light intrinsically. This groundwork prepares readers for a deeper examination of the complex interplay between biology, physics, and chemistry in the subsequent chapters.
Charles Frederick Holder
Living lights : $b A popular account of phosphorescent animals and vegetables
"Living lights : A popular account of phosphorescent animals and vegetables" by Charles Frederick Holder is a popular natural history book written in the late 19th century. It explores the phenomenon of bioluminescence across the animal and plant kingdoms (and even minerals), with special emphasis on marine life, presenting vivid observations, experiments, and travel reports to engage curious readers and young naturalists. The opening of the book lays out the author’s aim to entice young people into outdoor observation through the marvels of natural light, noting that while luminous organs are well described, the true cause of animal phosphorescence remains unknown. It then surveys bioluminescence at sea: the teeming, star-like glow of Noctiluca at the surface; the “meteors” of jellyfish and ctenophores such as Venus’ girdle; and fixed “lights” like sea anemones, corals, sea-fans, and sea-pens that can illuminate whole underwater “forests.” Next come deep-sea echinoderms—brilliant starfish and ophiuroids dredged from great depths—followed by luminous worms, from earthworms and rotifers to flamboyantly glowing marine polychaetes. The narrative turns to mollusks, from the lamp-like Pholas to wing-footed pteropods (Cleodora) and the striking, transparent Phyllirhoë, with notes on possible glow in squids. It concludes this opening stretch by introducing lightning-bugs, blending field anecdotes (including Jamaican fireflies) with clear descriptions of their light organs and behavior.
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