



SWIMMING SEA-NETTLES. Acalepha. 



NETTLES; ACALEPHA. 



E now arrive at a large and important class of animals. 



These beings, represented by some specimens in the accompanying illustration, 

 are scientifically termed Acalepha, or Nettles, a word which may be freely ren- 

 dered as Sea-nettles. The term is appropriate to many of the species which 

 cqmpose this large class, for a very great number of the Acalepha are possessed 

 of certain poisoned weapons which pierce the skin, and irritate the nerves as 

 if they were veritable stinging-nettles floating about in the sea. Popularly, 

 they are known by the familiar term Jelly-fishes, because their structure is so gelatinous, 

 mostly clear and transparent, but sometimes semi-opaque or colored with most beauti- 

 ful tints. 



