32 SEA-SHORE LIFE 
tentacles, finger-shaped feeding mouths, and grape-like clusters of 
reproductive organs. The tentacles are arranged in clusters, some 
being long and others short. When the wind blows, the long tentacles 
stretch out fully fifty feet, thus forming a drag to prevent a too 
rapid drifting of the colony. ‘These tentacles are flat and ribbon- 
like and along one edge we see a purple line of bead-like stinging 
organs, which serve in the capture of fishes upon which the Physalia 
feeds. They inflict a most painful sting, and almost instantly par- 
alyze small fishes. When a fish comes in contact with the tentacles 
they immediately adhere to it, and the struggles of the fish cause 
the tentacles to contract, thus bringing the prey within reach of the 
numerous mouths which soon fasten upon it. If the fish does not 
struggle the tentacles soon cease to contract, and thus the mouths 
may be unable to seize upon their food. Despite its formidable 
weapons, however, the Physalia is greedily devoured by Loggerhead 
turtles, but the turtle always closes its eyes when it seizes the prey. 
When very young the Physalia may sink for a time beneath 
the surface upon discharging the gas from its float; but in later life 
it loses this ability and remains constantly floating over the ocean 
at the mercy of the winds and currents. Only male Portuguese 
men-of-war are known, the female never having been observed. 
Velella mutica, is an exquisite creature rarely seen along our 
coast, but it occurs in great swarms in the tropical Atlantic. The 
body is an oblong disk about four inches long, and deep blue-green 
in color. The upper side of the disk is occupied by the chambered, 
gas-filled float which is chitinous, and gives rise to a sail-like crest. 
On the under side of the disk we find a large central feeding-mouth 
surrounded on all sides by numerous little mouths and reproduc- 
tive polypites. Near the outer edge of the under side of the disk 
there is a row of long blue tentacles. Large numbers of little jelly- 
fishes are constantly budding off from the sides of the reproductive 
polypites and swimming away in the water; but their further de- 
velopment is unknown. 
Porpita linneana, is related to Velella but is smaller, being 
only about one inch in diameter. Also the disk is flat and circular, 
and there is no sail-like ridge to the float. When seen in the water 
it appears asa deep blue circle, while the chambered float at the cen- 
tre glistens with a beautiful greenish iridescence. Underneath we 
