Bioluminescence: v4

MUSHROOMS & MORE: Scientists studied a glowing jellyfish. By what they learned, they made light microscopes far batter than they ever thought they could. By these microscopes they are unravelling some of the greatest mysteries of Biology.

MUSHROOMS & MORE: Glowing fungus and mushrooms have been known for thousands of years. In wetter, warmer climates, it’s not unusual to go into an old mine and see the wooden supports glowing. In 1823 the cause was discovered to be paramecium growth on the old wood.

MUSHROOMS & MORE: This sighting of glowing of fungus was first recorded by Homer the Greek in 383 BC.  

MUSHROOMS & MORE: The Roman, Julius Caesar, described these glowing organisms 500 years later. He also wrote about late night piddock shellfish feasts. Julius Caesar also described Romans with glowing hands, clothes and mouths munching away on these tasty treats!

MUSHROOMS & MORE: A doctor went to Cuba in the 1700’s. He found that natives often used bioluminescent mushrooms to guide their way along jungle trails.  

MUSHROOMS & MORE: Fungus, remember, is the larger organism which often grows underground, that mushrooms spring up from. Mushrooms are like the fruit of fungi. Both can glow.

MUSHROOMS & MORE: The very first US submarine, the Sloth, was used in the Revolutionary War on a couple attempted dives. It had bioluminescent mushrooms inside it.

MUSHROOMS & MORE: Fungus glow powder was placed on the needles of the propane tank of the Revolutionary War sub in an effort to make the gauges readable in the darkened interior.

MUSHROOMS & MORE: The crushed glow powder didn’t work in the submarine. The cold of the water that transferred through the sub’s walls made it too cold inside for the fungus to glow.  

MUSHROOMS & MORE: George Washington was consulted about an alternate form of light. But nothing was found.