Note 13 — Chapter X · PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES (Continued).

It is probable that this is the way “Jack o’lanterns” or “Will o’ the wisps” are ignited. Marsh gas is produced as above outlined from the vegetable and animal matter decomposing in swampy places under anaërobic conditions and likewise phosphine. These escape into the air and the “spontaneous combustion” of the phosphine ignites the marsh gas. ↩