mand was issued, and immediately obeyed. The Hebrew words recorded are only four: "And God said, Light be, and light was;" and hence they have been quoted as an instance of sublime writing from the time of Longinus, an ancient critic. Milton also appears to have felt it in its full force, from the opening of his hymn :

"Hail, holy light! offspring of heaven, first-born."

66

In reference to this element it is that some interesting facts are now to be stated, while from them may be derived many lessons calculated to improve as well as to inform the mind. For that is, after all, but a vain philosophy" which does not lead the soul to Him who styled himself "The Light of the world.” John viii. 12. Earnestly is it desired that a contrast may appear in the happy result of the illustrations of the Divine agency which are now to be offered.

To commence with some instances of phosphorescence, it may be remarked, that certain plants are luminous. A gentleman observed in the shady recesses of some of the rocks of Derbyshire a singularly brilliant golden-green light, rivalling the gorgeous tints of the humming-bird, which appeared to have been given out by a very delicate vegetable net-work.

6

LUMINOUS PLANTS.

In the coal mines in the vicinity of Dresden, too, there are some mosses which are said to be abundant and luminous. They are described by a visitor as appearing in "wonderful beauty;" and he says, "The impression produced by the spectacle I shall never forget. The abundance of these plants was so great, that the roof, and the walls, and the pillars, were entirely covered with them; the beautiful light they cast around was almost dazzling; it resembled faint moonshine, so that two persons near each other could readily distinguish their bodies."

The phosphorescence of the sea presents a most remarkable spectacle. Sometimes the vessel, while ploughing her way through the billows, appears to mark out a furrow of fire. Each stroke of an oar gives rise to sparks of light, sometimes tranquil and pearly, at others brilliant and dazzling. These moveable lights, too, are grouped in endless varieties; their thousands of luminous points, like little stars, appearing to float on the surface; and their matter forming one vast sheet of light. At such times, the bright waves heave up, roll, and break in shining foam; or large sparkling bodies, resembling the forms of fishes, pursue each other, disappearing and bursting forth anew.

Beautiful illuminations of the same kind are frequently

leminone the surfac

Sht. A.

1

TUMINGUS PLANTS.

ares in the vicinity of Dressen, 100,

are said to be a nadant ced by a bir as

inty "at he says, "The Jo spelade I shall never-forthese plads was so greet, that

and the pillars, were enth is

he beautiful light they east around

it resembled faint mooshing, so

par cach other could readily distin

descence of the sea resents a most Sometimes the vessel. while ‚h the bill-ws, appears to mark proke of au oar gives ris tranquil and peatly, at These moveable lights, varieties; their thousands

stars, bearing to float Latter forming one vast sheet the bright waves heave up, foam; or larg· spukling es of fishes, pur padli other, * pel "iù alto W.

the same and are frequently