Foxfire
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Foxfire, also sometimes referred to as "fairy fire", is the bioluminescence created by some species of fungi present in decaying wood. The bluish green glow is attributed to luciferase, an oxidizing agent, which emits light as it reacts with luciferin. Although the purpose is unknown, it is widely believed that the light is meant to attract insects to spread its spores or act as a warning to hungry animals, similar to the bright colors exhibited by some species of animals.[1] Although generally very dim, in some cases it can be bright enough to read by.[2]
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[edit] History
The oldest recorded documentation of foxfire was written by Aristotle in 382 B.C. His notes make a reference to a light that, unlike fire, was cold to the touch. The Roman thinker Pliny the Elder also mentioned glowing wood that appeared in olive groves.[3] Although there are many more literary references to foxfire by early scientists and naturalists, the true cause was not discovered until 1823. The glow emitted from wooden support beams in mines was examined, and it was found that the luminescence was due to fungal growth.[4]
On the suggestion of Benjamin Franklin, it was used for light in the Turtle, an early submarine.[5]
[edit] In popular culture
- In the episode "Trapped" of the TV series Lassie, Timmy and Boomer look for foxfire to keep girls away from them during Martha Tyson's Halloween Party.[6]
- In the novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, the characters Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer use foxfire as a source of light in order to dig a tunnel.[7]
- In the episode "Our Town" of the TV series X-Files, foxfire appears near where a dead body was found in the woods.[8]
- In the episode "The After School Hexer" of the anime Ghost Hunt, foxfires appear in several rooms of the high school in Mai Taniyama's dream.[9]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Foxfire:Bioluminescent Fungi". inamidst.com. http://inamidst.com/lights/foxfire. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ^ "Bioluminescent Fungi". Mykoweb. http://www.mykoweb.com/articles/BioluminescentFungi.html. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ^ "Foxfire: Bioluminescence in the Forest". Warnell School of Forest Resources. http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/service/library/index.php3?docID=173. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ^ "Bioluminescent foxfire, Bioluminescence facts, Bioluminescent fungi". Journey Idea. http://www.journeyidea.com/firefox-that-glows. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ^ Diamant, Lincoln (2004). Chaining the Hudson: The Fight for the River in the American Revolution. New York: Fordham University Press. ISBN 9780823223398. OCLC 491786080.
- ^ "Episode Guide: Season 5 (1958-1959)". Flying Dreams. http://episodes.lassieweb.org/lassie05.htm. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
- ^ Twain, Mark (2011). "35: Dark, Deep-Laid Plans". Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. CreateSpace. ISBN 1463520719.
- ^ Stegall, Sarah. "To Serve Man". Munchkyn. http://www.munchkyn.com/xf-rvws/ourtown.html. Retrieved 2011-07-21.
- ^ ono, Ono. "Absolute Anime". kodansha. http://www.absoluteanime.com/ghost_hunt/mai.htm. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
[edit] External links
- Foxfire: Bioluminescence in the Forestpdf file by Dr. Kim D. Coder, University of Georgia 8/99
- Bioluminescent Fungi at Mykoweb
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