112 ZOOPHYTES. 



some of the most important characters are so equivocal, and some species 

 so difficult of attainment, that their proposed arrangement already requires 

 revisal. Nevertheless, the prominent features assumed prove useful for re- 

 cognition. Among these are the substance of the animals, gelatinous, con- 

 sistent, opaque, or transparent ; their spherical, ovoidal, or campanulate 

 form ; circumferential lobes, or fringes ; ciliated or simple tentacular pro- 

 cesses ; solid or hollow extensile and retractile appendages, — and alto- 

 gether exhibiting such varied configuration as precludes the descriptive 

 powers of language. Next are their delicate iridescent or deeply con- 

 trasted colours : their strange and peculiar motions, laboured, tardy, or ex- 

 peditious, suspension amidst the water, or traversing it in all directions, by 

 means of the fleshy oars which provident Nature has given them. Multi- 

 tudes quitting their dark and wintry abodes below, or voyaging, from distant 

 regions, come to embellish our Scotish seas, as if seeking to enjoy the 

 fine and tranquil temperature of summer. 



The species to which I shall devote a brief discussion here, and that 

 only because it seems doubtful whether more skilful authors have pre- 

 served individual specimens under permanent observation, was not un- 

 known to earlier naturalists. By Baster it was denominated Medusa mi- 

 nutissima, and being in fact among the more minute, it may be rather con- 

 sidered a microscopic object than otherwise. Its expansion is between 

 one and two lines ; nor have I been sensible of its increment during the 

 longest period, that is sixty days, of its survivance. 



This creature's body consists of a central disc, with from four to twelve 

 horizontal flattened cloven lobes or arms. An organ like an obtuse-sided 

 cluster column, projects from the middle of the under surface, correspond- 

 ing to the site of the proboscis of other Medusae, around the origin or 

 base of which are four peculiar organs. That is the number when the set 

 is complete, each consisting of two flexible members like fingers. The 

 general aspect of the Medusa, enlarged, is represented Plate XVIII. 

 figs. 2, 3, 7, 8 ; proboscidal organ a ; lobes b. The four organs around 

 its basis are seen figs. 4, 5. Also the general aspect of various subjects is 

 represented Plate XX. figs. 4, 5, 23, 24, 25, all enlarged. 



Each lobe is cleft half way down. A cone in the centre, at the 



