106 ZOOPHYTES. 



In jirosecuting the investigation of this subject still farther, I have 

 availed myself of some very fine specimens of different species of the Me- 

 dusa at different times. 



First, I took five specimens of a kind vphich I shall provisionally de- 

 nominate Medusa stella, from my inability to recognise it -with certainty 

 in the Systema, and afterwards six of the same. 



All were of different dimensions, the umbrella of none exceeding fif- 

 teen inches in diameter, nor that of any under seven. 



Perhaps this species has some affinity with the preceding, but it is of 

 more ornamental appearance. The animal is of a faint yellowish colour, 

 with either a brown spot or a circular ring on the summit of the um- 

 brella, at a short distance from which a fine and conspicuous star of 

 thirty-two rays is formed by the divergence of as many lines from points 

 commencing them. This configuration will be readily understood from 

 inspecting Plate XVII. Still farther outwards the margin is embellished 

 by thirty-two brown patches, and a row of long slender tentacula falling 

 from the edge. Four long flexible organs, with a double marginal frill, 

 like the former, originate from below, somewhat different in different sub- 

 jects. There are also four ovarian cavities below, each with a dilatable 

 orifice. The skin of these cavities is wholly covered by a singular speck- 

 ling ; and so is the whole surface of the umbrella speckled, but in a diffe- 

 rent manner. 



From the stellate figure above, and the four appendages being at 

 some distance beneath the under surface, the animal cannot be mistaken. 



The brown colour of these Medusae seems derived from a peculiar 

 matter. Sometimes the water wherein they die is deeply tinged. 



All the eleven specimens were prolific. The sjjecimen represented 

 Plate XVII. having remained two days in a large glass jar, a brownish 

 circular stratum, two inches in diameter, consisting solely of myriads of 

 planulse, was found under its position, by removal to another vessel on 

 August 31. 



Here the animal continued as in the last, rising to the surface, and 

 collapsing its expanded umbrella, while the appendages were allowed to 

 hang down to the bottom. 



