40 GERYONOPSIS DELICATULA. 
short tentacula, numerous (16 4-+-4), but not placed in contact, and irregularly developed. 
They are of a slightly milky hue, and have slightly bulbous bases, but no coloured ocelli. 
There appears to be an otolitic mass in the cavity of each bulb, but I could observe no motion 
The sub-umbrella is hemispherical and depressed ; down it run four simple vessels to join the 
marginal vessels, and in their course are four greenish conspicuous, linear-lanceolate, or 
rather claviform, reproductive glands, with wavy margins. Round the inner margin of the 
umbrella is a horizontal, broad, membranous veil or shelf. From the summit of the sub- 
umbrella depends a conical peduncle, which projects beyond the margin, and, after contracting, 
suddenly expands into a wide campanulate stomach, with four large, lanceolate, fimbriated 
lips, whose edges are bordered by a thick layer of fibrous cells, endowing them with a highly 
motor power. Into the summit of the cavity of the stomach the four gastric vessels are plainly 
seen opening. The lips are tinged with green. The disk measures one inch and a half across. 
Several specimens occurred on the coasts of Dorset and Devon during August 1836, 
especially in the Reach of Dartmouth. It was usually in company with the Geryonia 
appendiculata. 
In 1839, Professor Goodsir and I took a Medusa at Scalloway, in Zetland, presenting 
many of the characters of the species we have described, but differing in having much longer 
and more numerous tentacula, more clavate and purple ovaries, and pale fimbriated lips. We 
announced it at the meeting of the British Association, at Birmingham, asa new Oceania, and 
it has since been quoted as such by Lesson. For the present, however, it is better to abstain 
from naming it, though in all probability distinct, since the drawing and memoranda made at 
the time are insufficient; the animal, owing to unavoidable circumstances, not having been 
submitted to microscopic observation. I may here remark, once for all, that under no circum- 
stances can any of the naked-eyed Medusze (above all, those belonging to the tribe we are now 
treating of) be identified without aid of the microscope, and the accident of that instrument 
not having been employed for the examination of Acalephee by the greater number of 
zoologists who have written upon them systematically, has rendered published diagnoses and 
determinations so imperfect, as, in the majority of instances, to be little better than utterly 
worthless. The quoting of authorities, synonyms, and localities respecting the subjects of 
this monograph is, in fact, an act of courtesy to those who have gone before us, rather than 
of justice to science, which would have thriven better if half the bad figures and worse 
descriptions of the smaller Medusze had never seen the light. Too truly in this case might it 
be said of such describers— 
“They have perplexed, 
With a dark comment, Beauty’s clearest text ; 
They have not told her face’s story true, 
But brought false copies to our jealous view.” Carew. 
Of course, there are some honorable exceptions to this censure, especially Sars, Wagner, Milne 
Edwards, and Will. : 
The higher Medusz, probably because larger, have been more fortunate. The 
Geryonia pellucida of Will (Hore Tergestine, p. 70, pl. 2, f.8) isa Geryonopsis not far 
removed from the species before us. Jt differs in having more clavate ovaries, simpler lips, 
and finer marginal tentacula (64). Dr. Will relates of his species that it devoured eggs of 
Beroe rufescens, of which some living specimens kept in the same vessel had laid many eggs, 
