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Nature of Light Emitted by Fireflies

Abstract

THE nature of the light emitted by fireflies (Malacoder-mid fam., genus Luciola) has hitherto been very little investigated. The idea that it is phosphorescent seems to have been generally accepted. On observing the beautiful green fluorescence of the light emitted by the insect when it is put in a glass tube, we were struck by the close resemblance of this light to that of the Crookes's tube. Could it be like that of the X-rays?

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SINGH, P., MAULIK, S. Nature of Light Emitted by Fireflies. Nature 88, 111 (1911). https://doi.org/10.1038/088111a0

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