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IN the Address of the foregoing Appendix to the Aerial Noctilu∣ca, I intimated the Reason, why I did not think fit to give you a more particular account of the Ma∣terials I employ'd in prosecuting my design, of making better qualified Noctilucas. And therefore I shall not for the present trouble you with the
mention of proceedings, that for want of some things seldom procu∣rable, you would not where you live, be able to imitate: But shall save you and my self the trouble of a further preamble.
Having then by processes, not un∣like that I annexed to the Close of the Aerial Noctiluca, obtain'd a Self-shi∣ning Substance of a Consistent form; I proceed to give you some account of what I have observed about it, and try'd with it, which will take up the less time to do, because many things belonging to it in common with the shining Liquor, with which I have already entertain'd you, those will be the fewer that belong pecu∣liarly to the Self-shining Matter, en∣dow'd with a Consistent form.
About which it may be proper to take notice of some affections, that seem more immediately to belong to the Substance it self, than most of the things do that are to follow.
1. And first, Though it usual∣ly came over in distillation in the form of divers little Grains, or Frag∣ments, differing for the most part from one another, both in bigness (some being of the size of Grains of Corn, and others of Pease, or large Cherry-Stones) and also as to their shapes, which most commonly were irregular, as Concretions are wont to be, that are casually produced, yet when the Distillation was carri∣ed on prosperously, we obtain'd the desired Matter in greater Lumps, sometimes as large as small Beans, and sometimes at least three or four times as large, but not proportionably thick.
2. These Lumps whether small or great, were Colourless; and usually when they were held against the Light, transparent; so that divers Bodies placed beyond them at a con∣venient distance, might be plainly
seen through them. And some of the bigger appeared so like such Frag∣ments of Ice, as being thin, are often∣times very clear, and almost quite destitute of manifest Bubbles; that be∣cause of this great resemblance, and for distinction sake, I thought it not amiss to call our consistent Self-shi∣ning Substance, the Icy or Glacial Noctiluca (and for variety Phosphorus) which name I chose to give it, rather than that of Crystalline, because this Epithet is not unfrequently given to every Diaphanous Liquor, as well as to Transparent Solids. But when I said, that our Noctiluca was Transpa∣rent and Colourless, I meant it only in reference to what usually appeared. For whether it were any real diffe∣rence in the Texture or constitution of the Body it self, or the effect of some casual junctures of Circum∣stances, I am not sure; but this oc∣cur'd to us, that sometime, especial∣ly by Candle-Light, some lesser Frag∣ments appeared not Diaphanous, nor always either Colourless, nor of the
same Colour. For sometimes the Matter looked Reddish, sometimes of a faint, but pleasing Blew, and some∣times too, of a Colour to which I cannot easily assign a known Name.
3. Our Icy Noctiluca or Phosphorus, is manifestly heavier in Specie than common Water, in which being put, it readily sinks to the bottom, and quietly lies there.
4 The Ice like Body, though con∣sistent, is not hard; being far less so, than common Ice; but yet 'tis not so soft but that 'tis brittle, and will more easily be broken in pieces by the pressure of ones Fingers, than receive shapes from them; and yet by him that goes somewhat warily to work, it may be spread upon a solid Body, almost like the unmelted Tallow of a Candle.
5. The Consistent Phosphorus is fusible enough. For though in the Air it will not be brought to melt, without some difficulty and waste, yet by the help of hot Liquors, and even of Water it self, it may with a
little care and dexterity be brought to melt, which is an Observation of good use; because by means of fusi∣on, several Fragments (if the Matter be pure enough) may be brought to run into one Lump, and in that condition may both be the better preserved, and become fit to be ap∣plied to some considerable uses, which cannot so well, if at all, be made of lesser, though numerous Fragments.
6. This Glacial Noctiluca is, as to sense, cold, but of a texture that di∣sposes it to be easily agitated, and by agitation become incalescent, as will appear hereafter. When this Solid Noctiluca is held in the free Air, though perhaps its superficies be wet, it affords a very vivid Light, usual∣ly surpassing That of the Aerial Nocti∣luca, and this Light seems to proceed from, if not also to reside in the Body it self.
7. When our Icy Phosphorus is ta∣ken out of its receptacle, and exposed to the immediate contact of the free Air, it usually emits a wonderful
deal of Smoak, discernable by the Light of the Body it ascends from; and this plentiful emission of Efflu∣viums usually lasts as long as the Phosphorus is kept in the Air.
8. But 'tis pleasant to observe, and deserves to be considered, That as soon as 'tis plung'd in Water, so as to be quite covered with that Liquor, it ceases not only to Smoak as before, but to shine, as if a thorowly kin∣dled Coal were suddenly quenched in Water. And if it were not for this, our Noctiluca would effluviate so fast, that it would be quickly wast∣ed; whereas the Water, fencing it from the contact of the Air, keeps it from spending it self as formerly, and yet does really make but a seem∣ing and temporary extinction of this Anomalous Fire. For as soon as 'tis again taken out of the Water (though it have lain there perhaps a great while) it falls to shine again, even whilst 'tis yet dropping wet.
9. And I have sometimes had the pleasure to observe, that when I had
so large a Piece of Noctiluca, that I could conveniently hold one half of it under the Surface of the Water, and the other half above it, whilst the emers'd part afforded no Light, the extant part shone Vividly.
Having thus mentioned most of the qualities that belong to the Nocti∣luca it self, I shall now proceed to the Phaenomena, my Tryals on it, or with it afforded me, without con∣fining my self to any solicitous order, since my Circumstances permitted me not to keep one in making those tryals. But before I descend to other Particulars, It will not, I think, be amiss to take notice of a few, that, having more affinity than others with the last mentioned quality of our Phosphorus, seem proper to be annex∣ed to what has been delivered of it.