A FRESH WATER JEI,I<V l-'ISH. 8 1 



disc was nearly complete, and pulsations had evidently con- 

 tinued for some time. This morning (September 7th) the 

 jelly-fish was swimming about the little dish. 



"Another important point. — At the time of my last even- 

 ing examination, the cellular structure of the nearest hydroid 

 stem, as well as that of the pedicle of the medusa, had entirely 

 disappeared, leaving the struggling creature attached only by 

 a diaphanous cuticle, almost impossible to define ; within which 

 were a very few spherical floating cells and numbers of 

 detached thread-cells. This disintegration of tissues serves to 

 account for my previous failures to discern the supporting 

 stems, and to explain the long detention of the medusa when 

 there seemed to be no attachment. 



" I do not mean that the Microhydra had entirely disap- 

 peared. The stem bearing the other head had, in fact, elon- 

 gated, and the nearer stem seems to be re-adjusting its condi- 

 tions and reforming a capitulum." 



The circular portion at the right end of Figure 5 is the 

 roughly drawn iiiedjisa bud as it then appeared, to become a 

 few hours later the free swamming medusa represented in Fig- 

 ure 3. (If any are unfamiliar with the fact, I may be allowed 

 to state that the rounded surface or umbrella of these budding 

 forms is always nearest to the stems upon which they grow, 

 leaving the disc of the jelly fish with its tentacles extended 

 outward like the stamens of a flower. ) As we watched the 

 maturing forms it was a constant surprise to see what a period 

 of violent throbbing was required to finally liberate, although 

 we could discern nothing to detain them as described in above 

 letter. The violence of these spasms reminded me (compar- 

 ing small things with great) of Milton's curious description 

 of the creation of the lion (with the other animals) literally 

 from the ' ' dust of the Earth . ' ' 



" Now half appeared 

 The tawny Hon, pawing to get free 

 Hi.s hinder parts — then springs as broke from bonds 

 And rampant shakes his brinded mane." 



