CO-OllDINxVTION. 



14:3 



This decided effect of so slight a mutilation will 

 not, perhaps, appear to other physiologists so note- 

 worthy as it appears to me ; for no one who has 

 not witnessed the experiments can form an 

 adequate idea of the amount of mutilation of any 

 parts, other than their margins, which the Medusa? 

 will endure without even suffering from the effects 

 of shock. Another point worth mentioning with 

 regard to the operation we are considering is, that 

 not un frequently the interruptions of the margin, 

 which have been produced artificially, begin to 

 extend themselves through the nectocalyx in a 

 radial direction ; so that in some cases this organ 

 becomes spontaneously segmented into four quad- 

 rants, which remain connected only by the apical 

 tissue of the bell. I do not think that this is due 

 to the mere mechanical tearing of the tissues as 

 a consequence of the swimming motions, for the 

 latter seem too feeble to admit of their pi'oducing 

 such an effect. 



In conclusion, I may state that 1 have been able 

 temporarily to destroy the ganglionic co-ordination 



