SEA-NETTT,ES. 97 



of tlie bill. In the Egyptian Vulture, Spotted Eagle, etc., the Legs are 

 yellow, the bill black; in the Golden Eagle the Legs are yellow, the bill 

 horn colour; in the Jer-Falcon and Peregrine-Falcon, the legs are yellow and 

 the bill blue. But the rule which I am noticing is orthodox in having its 

 exception to confinu it; for in the Honey Buzzard, the Legs are yellow, and 

 the Cere is blue. 



I am so far interested in the matter that T should like to know, from those 

 whoso knowledge extends beyond British Ornithology, whether this really be 

 a solitary exception, and whether my rule be imaginary or not. I confess 

 it seems to me so far borne out, that I wonder it has not been noticed by 

 Natural Historians, and I am not aware that it ever lias beey. An eminent 

 ornithologist, to whom T have communicated these remarks, acknowledges that 

 they are new to him, and it is by his recommendation that I now lay them 

 before the consideration of the readers of "The Naturalist." 



The ornithologist to whom T refer suggests as an explanation (he probabil- 

 ity that all the bare parts of the flesh would be of the same colour; but 

 this is at least strikingly at variance with the more mature Elgyptian Vulture, 

 which has a bare skin of deep flesh-colour on the head^ while the Legs are 

 light yellow. 



Stainlnnd, Halifax, January 20th., 18;")2. 



SEA-NETTLES. 



BY O, 8. ROUND, ESQ. 

 ( Continued from pa ffe In.) 



These creatures occupy the fourth class of z\crite animals, according to 

 the new and somewhat improved system, which has been applied by Professor 

 Owen and other naturalists. They exhibit no distinct nervous system, but it 

 is supposed that a neurine or nervous matter is diffused in a molecular con- 

 dition throughout the body. The place of muscular fibre is supplied by 

 contractile molecules. The alimentary apparatus presents nothing but cavities, 

 and most of them appear to be but a repetition of similar parts, each capable 

 of forming a perfect creature. At first sight what do we see, (I now 

 speak of a larger specimen,) a mass of jelly-like substance; which, when 

 taken from its native element, and allowed to dry, becomes at last a mass 

 of mere filaments of transparent cellular matter, where grains represent pounds, 

 and lines perhaps inches! The Acaleph^ have been divided by naturalists 

 into five groups: the Pulmoniyrada, from the motion which their powers of 

 expansion and contraction exhibits, and which bears some resemblance to 

 expiration and inspiration; the Ciliograda, from the motion of certain cilia — 

 or hair-like substances which cover the surface of the body; the Phjsograda, 

 where the motion is regulated by one or more bladders; the Cirrhigrada, 

 which boasts something like a skeleton, and resembles partially the Pulmonigrada; 



\'0L. TI. o 



