OF THE PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR. 557 



To a cursory observer the appearance of this animal is that 

 of a bladder rilled with air, with a low, longitudinal crest, 

 supposed to resemble a sail both in shape and function, and 

 many tendrils of various lengths hanging loosely in the water 

 below; without a visible orifice or organs of voluntary motion. 



More closely examined in its native element, it is found to 

 possess a front which is marked by a small perpendicularly 

 oval space, thinner than the neighbouring surface, and con- 

 veying the idea of a mouth ; and to the inner side of which 

 is attached an organization presently to be described more at 

 length. 



From the margin of what, for the sake of distinction, I have 

 designated the oral space, a number of lines proceed longitu- 

 dinally along the surface, converging again near the pointed 

 posterior portion, round a space and apparent aperture in a 

 line not exactly straight above the extremity. Examined 

 within, the wall of this membrane is encircled by another set 

 of fibres, which encompass the sides at right angles to the 

 former ; and it is by the combined action of these, that the 

 complicated motions are performed of which the creature is 

 capable. 



What is denominated the sail or crest, is a plaited mem- 

 brane passing lengthwise from a short distance above the oral 

 space, to within about an equal distance of the posterior ex- 

 tremity. It varies a little in breadth in different specimens, 

 but in a large individual is about an inch in height, with an 

 edge on the summit, but spreading below like the ridge of a 

 house, and within the eavity is divided into segments. The 

 structure of the inflated body is diaphanous ; and viewed by 

 the aid of light on the anterior portion of the right side, ris- 

 ing above the tendrils with which below it is connected, is 

 an extended opacity, irregularly circular above, and well de- 

 fined, indicating a structure differing from the other portion, 

 though not such as interferes with the arrangement of the 

 muscular fibres. 



The tendrils are of three sorts. The first, towards the front, 

 are placed on and under one side of the ordinary line of sus- 

 pension in the water : they are short, clustering, and tufted 

 on their pedicles. The other two sorts of tendrils are long ; 

 some a few inches, and some nearly a yard in length, but 

 none placed behind the middle of the body; and the first 

 elongated ones, placed below, are formed of a thread of mem- 

 brane accompanied and encircled by a line of flattened beads, 

 which obey the influence of the will in contraction, extension 

 and lateral motion. The third sort are the longest ; their base 

 is thick and firm, having the muscular structure continued 



