AT LONGPORT, NEW JERSEY, IN SEPTEMBER.* 



BY GRACEANNA LEWIS. 



A few years ago, in September, the writer had the oppor- 

 tunity of examining closely some animal forms which at this 

 season of the 3'ear contriVjute to the luminosity of the sea 

 along our eastern coast. 



The night preceding and the night following the collection 

 of the first material were noticeable for the phosphorescent 

 light on the waves and also for the abundance of small masses 

 of transparent jelly left upon the beach by the receding 

 waters. A quantity of these jelly masses from the beach was 

 placed in water dipped from the sea, in a large glass vessel, 

 where it could be favorably seen. Very soon the organisms 

 began to take shape and then to move in all directions with 

 the greatest ease and apparent enjoyment. In form they were 

 nearly circular, but as they presented different aspects, it was 

 soon seen they were not globular. Viewed from above, 

 below, or at either end, the outline was oval, the short diam- 

 eter being not more than half the longer. Looking at the 

 broad side, in a slight depression on the upper side might be 

 seen a mouth opening into a gently expanded stomach, but 

 not very well defined amid the surrounding jelly, all parts 

 being so transparent that it was difficult to distinguish one 

 from another. Beneath the stomach and connected with it by 

 a slender passage, was a bulb from which proceeded four 

 tubes, each dividing so as to present eight tubes in all. These 

 curved in a funnel outwards and then upwards over the body, 

 and again turned downwards, exchanging their contents in 

 four chambers, two on each broad face of the body. As these 

 chambers are connected with the circulation, I shall call them 

 circulatory chambers, although they also perform an excretory 



*The Institute regrets it cannot reprotluce the beautiful water color 

 sketches accompanying this article. Their accuracy of outline and deli- 

 cacy of color cannot be surpassed. 



