32 SEA-SHORE LIFE 



tentacles, finger-shaped feeding mouths, and grape-like clusters of 

 reproductive organs. The tentacles are arranged in clusters, some 

 being long and others short. When the wind blows, the long tentacles 

 stretch out fully fifty feet, thus forming a drag to prevent a too 

 rapid drifting of the colony. These tentacles are flat and ribbon- 

 like and along one edge we see a purple line of bead-like stinging 

 organs, which serve in the capture of fishes upon which the Physalia 

 feeds. They inflict a most painful sting, and almost instantly par- 

 alyze small fishes. When a fish comes in contact with the tentacles 

 they immediately adhere to it, and the struggles of the fish cause 

 the tentacles to contract, thus bringing the prey within reach of the 

 numerous mouths which soon fasten upon it. If the fish does not 

 struggle the tentacles soon cease to contract, and thus the mouths 

 may be unable to seize upon their food. Despite its formidable 

 weapons, however, the Physdlia is greedily devoured by Loggerhead 

 turtles, but the turtle always closes its eyes when it seizes the prey. 



When very young the Physalia may sink for a time beneath 

 the surface upon discharging the gas from its float; but in later life 

 it loses this ability and remains constantly floating over the ocean 

 at the mercy of the winds and currents. Only male Portuguese 

 men-of-war are known, the female never having been observed. 



Velella iitutica, is an exquisite creature rarely seen along our 

 coast, but it occurs in great swarms in the tropical Atlantic. The 

 body is an oblong disk about four inches long, and deep blue-green 

 in color. The upper side of the disk is occupied by the chambered , 

 gas-filled float which is chitinous, and gives rise to a sail-like crest. 

 On the under side of the disk we find a large central feeding-mouth 

 surrounded on all sides by numerous little mouths and reproduc- 

 tive polypites. Near the outer edge of the under side of the disk 

 there is a row of long blue tentacles. Large numbers of little jelly- 

 fishes are constantly budding off from the sides of the reproductive 

 polypites and swimming away in the water; but their further de- 

 velopment is unknown. 



Porpita linnmana, is related to Velella but is smaller, being 

 only about one inch in diameter. Also the disk is flat and circular, 

 and there is no sail-like ridge to the float. When seen in the water 

 it appears as a deep blue circle, while the chambered float at the cen- 

 tre glistens with a beautiful greenish iridescence. Underneath we 



