102 ZOOPHYTES, 



convex above, and concave or somewhat flattened below. A row of long 

 slender tentacula descends from the circumference, which circumference 

 is divided into 32 lobes, each lobe being imprinted with a dark brown 

 patch speckled white. Four long frilled appendages of similar colour in the 

 solid parts, but lighter in the frills, hang down from the under surface. 

 Here also are four large cavities, each with an orifice converging towards 

 the centre of the animal, wherein the ovaria, resembling clusters of grapes, 

 are deposited. The whole surface is of different shades of brownish-yellow. 

 Selecting a specimen of this Medusa eight inches in diameter for 

 more minute observation, I lodged it in a clear and capacious glass jar on 

 the 24th of August. Herein the umbrella continued to collapse and to reach 

 the surface by impulse on the water, as these animals do naturally in the 

 sea. On gaining this position, the Medusa remained still and motion- 

 less, as if to be carried along by the flow or the ebbing of the tide. — 



Plate XV. 



After transferring the largest of its fellows to another capacious ves- 

 sel, I experienced very sensibly ihe noxious property ascribed to the race. 

 My hands and wrists suffered burning heat for several hours, spite of be- - 

 ing plunged immediately into cold water. It is thence that the Medusa 

 is called the Sea nettle ; and many accounts are given of the injury sus- 

 tained from contact with it in those seas where it abounds. I acknow- 

 ledge that I was long incredulous, especially because many may be handled 

 with impunity, and from distrusting fishermen, who are too often addicted 

 to exaggeration. A friend of undoubted veracity, assured me that having 

 come in contact with some Medusae, while bathing in the estuary of the 

 Forth, violent inflammation of the skin ensued, which was accompanied 

 by a serious attack of fever. I have no doubt, however, that several of the 

 most marvellous narratives have come from those persons who were more 

 alarmed than hurt, by finding themselves suddenly in so disagreeable a 

 neighbourhood as amidst a number of Medusse. It is not evident that 

 these creatures employ any of their external flexible organs purposely to 



injure. 



Although the specimen above quoted as eight inches in diameter 

 seemed sufficiently vigorous, it could be kept only a few days from decay. 



