DRKDGINC. IN IHi; KIVKR CROUCH. 89 



Several specimens of Sa/>f//a pcnicillus were brought up alive, 

 looking very unattractive when withdrawn into the leathery tubes, 

 but beautiful when the head, with its feathery mottled plumes, is dis- 

 played in full movement, gathering in the food by which it lives. 

 These are very abundant, and are called locally " Hassocks." Years 

 ago they were thus written of by Dr. Eaird : — 



" In some of our creeks and tidal rivers these animals abound in 

 immense numbers, and on the coast of Essex they are known to the 

 fishermen by the name of ' Hassocks.' When dredging in the River 

 Roach, I have often come upon banks where they existed in hun- 

 dreds of thousands, and appear in masses of large extent, growing 

 erect like a standing field of corn." 



Of the PoLvzoA, we found only one fresh record, Bicellaria 

 ciliaia, local name " Moseyweed," which is, however, one of the 

 most beautiful, each cell being armed with seven long and delicate 

 processes or spines. This genus appears to be world-wide in its 

 distribution, and delicately coloured species may be found on 

 Australian coasts. 



Membranipora, Lepralia, and Eschara were fairly abundant, as 

 before. 



The Sea Anemones I only mention as I have endeavoured to 

 preserve one of these, Actijiia mesembryanthemum ; but I do not 

 think I have been very successful, knowing how very beautiful they 

 are when alive and extended. We found two or three species ; one 

 little sage-green fellow with chrome yellow furrows was not un- 

 common, but its identification is uncertain. 



The Jelly-fish taken were the same species as previously cap- 

 tured. The most notable was a very large Rhizostoma cuvieri=- 

 pulmo, the disc measuring over thirteen inches in diameter. The 

 scalloped edge was of a bright violet colour ; there are from nine to 

 ten of these scallops in each of the eight radial parts into which the 

 disc is divided ; and at the termination of each radial vessel, there 

 is an eye, protected on either side by a film or veil, which hangs 

 over it like a transparent curtain. The peduncle, which is prettily 

 foliated, and eight arms hang down from the centre of the disc, and 

 the terminal points are triangular in form. 



It was a lovely sight to see this jelly-like mass moving by the 

 contraction and expansion of its disc in the tub in which we placed 

 it ; and I determined, if possible, to preserve it, so on landing, one 

 of the men was sent off to bring a large iron l)ucket in which we 



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