38 HYDKOZOA. 



with infinite multitudes of animals, which, from their 

 minuteness and transparency, are almost as imper- 

 ceptible as the infusoria themselves. All, however, 

 are not equally minute, some grow to a large size, 

 and various forms of these are familiar to the inhabit- 

 ants of every beach, upon which, when cast up by 

 the waves, they lie, like masses of jelly, melting, as 

 it were, in the sun, exhibiting but few traces of that 

 elaborate structure, which more careful examination 

 discovers them to possess. Their uncouth appear- 

 ance has gained for them various appellations by 

 which they are generally known, as Sea-jelhj, Sea- 

 hluhher, or Jelly-fishes; whilst, from disagreeable 



Fig. 23.— sea-blubbeb. 



sensations produced by handling most of them, they 

 have been called Sea-nettles, Stingers, or Stangers. 

 Their faculty of stinging is, indeed, the most promi- 

 nent feature tliey exhibit, so that their names in 

 almost all languages are derived from this circum- 

 stance. They w^ere known to the older naturalists 

 by the title of Urticee Marine, and the scientific 

 appellation, whereby they are generally designated, 

 is of similar import. The forms of these gelatinous 

 creatures cannot well be distinguished when thus 

 cast up by the waves ; but if we look over the side 

 of a ship at anchor, or take an excursion in a boat, 

 we shall see many floating freely in their own ele- 

 ment, and displaying all the elegance and beauty of 



