MEDUS^^ OR JELLY-FISH. 155 



glass vase by that gentleman. The umbrella part is three 

 inches wicle^ not quite lenticular, but slightly depressed in 

 the middle circle, very transparent, and tinged with a rosy 

 blush, with radiating Hues of pink. Long thread-tenta- 

 cles hang and wave from the rim, and between them are 

 the brown-coloured bulbs, called eyes. The peduncle is 

 bulbous, and the mouth is surrounded by four membranous 

 arms of great length, which are frilled and twisted in a 

 very elegant manner. In captivity the Chrysoaria moved 

 gracefully, twirling, furling, and unfurling his flounces in 

 ever-varying undulations. His possessor, having casually 

 touched the animal with a stick, found that the furbelows, 

 as well as the tentacles, clung to it and wrapped themselves 

 round it, and were drawing it towards the peduncle; and it 

 was liberated with difficulty. This suggested an attempt to 

 feed it. A whitebait being introduced was presently surround- 

 ed, and drawn up under the umbrella, but being perhaps too 

 heavy, was allowed to fall. Its head had actually been for 

 some time in the oral cavity of the Medusa ; but when 

 examined it was found that the process of digestion had 

 not begun. After awhile the captive Jelly-fish changed its 

 habits, turned over its umbrella-body, and died in the act of 

 propagating fresh buds. 



