45 



it is found in prodigious numbers. It is though occasionally 

 borne by winds and currents into the Western basin of the 

 Mediterranean Sea and on the Coast of Portugual and Spain. 

 Specimens have been even found as far North as the Isle of 

 Wight. This animal reaches 8 to g inches in length and is 

 chiefly remarkable for its brilliant irridescent tints of orange, 

 purple, and blue colours which it displays as it sails along on the 

 surface of the sea. It uses its semi-circular membrane or crest as 

 a sail which it lowers or erects at pleasure, and with a moderate 

 breeze it will sail a^ong at the rate of a mile and a half an hour, 

 It is furnished with tentacles capable of extension from a few 

 inches to several feet, and it possesses, in an unusual degree, the 

 stinging properties of its species. At every few inches of this 

 tentacle is to be seen a dark blue globular body about the size 

 of a No. I shot, which appears to be the stinging organ. 



I once saw a soldier drummer boy driven nearly mad by 

 one of these animals, Avhich a comrade had caught and placed 

 round the boy's neck. The military surgeon on board had 

 never seen a case of the kind before, and said the stings were 

 as bad as those of a dozen wasps. The poor boy was delirious 

 for sometime. It is interesting watching the animals, when 

 they meet the waves from the bow of a ship, the membrane is 

 lowered instantly and after the wash is over, up it goes again 

 and they go sailing along none the worse for the disturbance. 

 Sailors used to call them the Nautilus but they are totally 

 different having no shell. 



