CTENOPHOEA 77 



Mnemiopsis leidyi Agassiz (Rainbow Jelly) 



PLATE IV. Fig. 4 



Oval, up to 6 inches or more in length and about 

 half that in width; lower part of the body divided 

 into two large lobes; eight longitudinal rows of cilia 

 constitute the " combs" by which these jelly-fish 

 move. These ctenophores are nearly transparent 

 but have a prismatic coloring caused by the waving 

 cilia, hence the name "Rainbow Jelly." They are 

 highly luminous at night. 



This is the most common of the Ctenophores 

 recorded from New Jersey. It is present in the 

 coastal waters during a large part of the summer and 

 fall but is especially abundant in August. 



Beroe ovata Chamisso and (Sea Walnut) 



Eisenharrd 



PLATE III. Fig. 12 



Oval, 3 to 4 inches high, half as broad; pink or 

 light brown in color. In September and October this 

 ctenophore appears in New Jersey coastal waters in 

 great numbers. Usually in late October during the 

 first cold off-shore wind, Beroe becomes numb and 

 sinks to the bottom. Then they are carried to the 

 shore by the bottom current and are frequently 

 stranded in immense numbers .on the beach. In this 

 way Beroe disappears from the coastal waters for the 

 winter. Its usual home is the open ocean and it is 

 only a casual visitor to the New Jersey inland coastal 

 waters, appearing only after the heat of the summer 



