38 



SEA-SHORE LIFE 



inches liigli, and resembles a little dark-colored tree with branches 

 arranged alternately on either side of the main stem. Each branch 

 gives rise to a series of side branches on its npper side and they 

 each and all terminate in white or pink flower-like heads. These 

 polyp-heads bear the mouths, and each is surrounded by two rows 

 of tentacles which wave through the water intent upon the capture 

 of the small marine animals upon which the Pennaria feeds. Jelly- 

 fishes grow out from the sides of the polyp-heads, and within these 

 the eggs develop At times the eggs are cast out before the jelly- 

 fishes are set free, but often the jellyfish escapes from the 



hydroid and swims aboiit, car- 

 rying its eggs with it. The 

 eggs then develop into little 

 pear-shaped larvae Avhich swim 

 rapidly through the water but 

 soon settle down and change 

 into tree-like hydroids which 

 in turn develop another genera- 

 tion of jelly fishes. 



In spring and early sum- 

 mer large, pale colored, stocks 

 of Pennaria are found upon 

 rock weed, piles, etc.; but about 

 the middle of August small, 

 highly colored stocks, with pink 

 heads, are found in great abund- 

 ance upon eel grass. This was 

 observed by Professor Hargitt 

 in "The American Naturalist," 

 Vol. XXXIV, p. 390. 



The Sea Plume, (Ohelia cum- 

 iitissuralis, Fig. 14), is common 

 upon the wooden posts of wharves 

 or attached to stones or sea-weed. 

 The main stems are fully six 

 inches long, and they give rise to spirally arranged branches which 

 run nearly at right angles to the stem. The creature thus resem- 



Fig. 14; SEA-PLUarE (Obeha), Growing 

 Upon Seaweed (Fucus). From Life. 



