Show V I 4 II How Does the Glow v Worm Warm Glow I By HER HEREWARD WARD CARRINGTON Scientist and Author V VV I V put the fire in firefly and the I glow in in glow v worm worm I If It he were living today he easily I I could become a millionaire overnight t. t I Because the light produced by these tiny creatures is in many respects the most most perfect the world ever has known V The animal light produced by these living organisms is known as cold light because it p produces no heat I And right theres there's s where its value I lies For every gas or arc or electric V light that man produces wast wastes a I I I large proportion ot Of its it energy in useless useless useless use use- V less heat instead of ot converting it into light The more heat the less light V And nd 1 the less heat the more light lIgh ONLY EFFICIENT LIGHT I So you see the light produced by fireflies and glow worms Is almost per cent efficient V V VIf If It we could learn the he secret of these thes tiny organisms it would mean saving millions of dollars every year ear j in illumination V Heres Here's an an opportunity for you jou if it youve you've a scientific mind and If it you want to make It 11 b. b fortune out o ot an interesting hobby V The light given off by glow worms and fireflies is called cence That That's pronounced o loom nes ens with V the accent on the tile nes nes It means light of ot life f Besides du fireflies and glow worms this light g is produced by certain fish animals and bacteria The glowworm glow worm Is nothing but a a. larva or baby firefly but the organ producing the light is quite different In the two creatures I In the I firefly the light merely shines through the skin which is transparent Certain cells near near the skin are devised especially for producing producing producing pro pro- light V These cells are filled with a a. lu luminous luminous luminous lu- lu minous substance substance- which when the proper chemical reaction takes rakes place I glows brilliantly Scientists have devoted much research re research research re- re search to analyze the substances that produce this gl glow w. w V but the ultimate chemical composition is highly c com complex corn corn- m- m plex and more or l less ims ss of a mystery Scientists likewise liJe have made a a. detailed examination of these producing organs and have found that the cells are aro very verv complicated and very beautifully designed V Men or learning say the light cells proper are often equipped with re reflectors re- re lenses opaque screens and color olor screens So everything that man has devised to perfect perte t his artificial light giving apparatus has existed millions of years rears in these light pr producing or organisms or- or on a small but perfect scale Why ha has nature provided these littie little lit lit- tle tie creatures with with lights lights' Many theories have been advanced The lights may be beA A warning to drive away other animals that would eat these creatures V VA A sex ser sign signal l to facilitate mating mating A l lantern to guide the V creature on its way V |