318 



Descriptions and Figures 



description of the Velella scaphidia of Peron and Le Sueur 

 (Hist, Nat, des Anim. sans Vert., vol. ii. p. 482.) Velella is a 

 genus of irregular sea jellies, which stands between Physalia * 

 and Porpita ; and the species here figured, apparently with 

 great accuracy, is one of the most beautiful and remarkable 

 of its family, The dorsal crest is thin and transparent, 

 spread out like a fan, lightly tinted with blue and pink, and 

 the base marked with stripes and spots of green, blue, pink, 

 and yellow. The back is of a uniform China blue, a little 

 clouded with darker streaks, rivalling the corollas of the 

 dwarf or vernal gentians [Gentian acaulis L, 9 and G. verna 

 L.~] in vividness of colour. The ventral surface is azure 

 blue, or ultramarine, except the oblong space in the 

 centre, which is a wood-brown, and appears to be rough- 

 ened with numerous small tubercles or suckers. The tenta- 



cula originate from the blue por- 

 tion of the ventral surface : they 

 are very numerous, linear, and 

 short, and of a fine blue colour. 

 It is to be regretted that Mr. 

 Mathews has told us nothing of 

 its manner of swimming, &c. — 

 N, 



" Fig, 39. Jc is a beautiful 

 little thing. It is described in 



* See a good figure and description of Physalia pelagica, the Portuguese 

 man of war, in Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. p. 475. 



