LONGPORT IN SEPTEMBER. I05 



them as an Order somewhat related to the Corals, but most 

 nearly allied to the H^^iroids or Jelly Fishes, but higher in 

 organization than either. 



Agassiz divided the Ctenop/wra into three sub-orders, all of 

 which are represented on our x^tl antic coast. 



The first sub-order is that of the Beroidae. 



The second sub-order is that of the Saccatae, to which, 

 along with many others, the well known genus Pleiirobrachia 

 belongs. No members of this group were observed at Long- 

 port, and none of the Saccatae. 



The third sub-order is the Lobatae, in which the body is 

 composed of lobes corresponding in number with the circula- 

 tory tubes and with the lines of locomotive appendages, all 

 the members being furnished with lappets on either side of a 

 small mouth. 



Here, then, belonged the objects before us. But the sub- 

 order of the Lobatae includes a number of families, each with 

 its own genera and species. To which were these related ? 

 Were they resident at Longport, or had they been driven 

 hither by storm currents ? Five years before, much earlier in 

 the season, the writer had seen the very same objects abund- 

 ant in the Thoroughfare between Longport and the mainland, 

 and also in the waters of Great Egg Harbor. They were 

 observed for days and could scarcely be mistaken. Clearly 

 the only way to decide was to make careful water color paint- 

 ings and compare them with the illustrations already pub- 

 lished, in addition to close observations on the structure, 

 habits and motions of this species. It was soon found that 

 the problem was complicated, if rendered more interesting, by 

 finding more than one species to deal with, and also by 

 observing that new species were brought in from day to da}'. 



In the species recognized as that seen at Longport five 

 years before, the lobes were exceedingly transparent — the 

 colors of the cilia, whilst very beautiful, were so delicate as to 

 reniiiid one of the tints in auroral flashes; the circulatory 



