of the Genus Equoree. 377 
rea, the mesonema, and the phosphorifera must at least 
be of this description: it seems impossible, in short, that 
the confined stomach of these zoophytes can receive any 
thing else than animalcules; the feebleness and shortness 
of the tentacula in the above species support this pre- 
sumption: with respect to those equores whose stomach 
is broad and deep, they have no hesitation, as we have 
actually observed, in devouring the largest species of be- 
roes, of salpas, and even to the small pelagian fish which 
live habitually among the fuci. 
Digestive system.—N> organ seems lees adapted to per- 
form the most important functions of life, than the sto- 
mach of the zoophytes in question : of a soft and gelati- 
nous substance, of great tenuity im its coats, of an extreme 
delicacy in its texture, it seems to be equally incapable of 
retaining or digesting the animals which it has received. 
Our uncertainty increases the further we penetrate into this 
singular cavity. Nowhere can the eye, even with the best 
optical instruments, discover any trace of those numerous 
suckers which we shall have occasion to describe in another 
place, and which fringe the bottom of the stomach of se- 
veral other medusz: all that we can see in that of the 
equoreze, is that it is lubricated in all its points bv a kind 
of gastric juice slightly viscous to the touch, and which 
when we apply it to the tongue immediately produces a 
transient sensation of pain and heat. Whatever may be 
the nature of this important fluid, which we shall have 
frequent occasion to mention in our general history of the 
medusz, it, seems to be certain that it performs the chief 
part in the digestive system of the equoree: it is by means 
of it that the substance of the animals surprised by these 
zoophytes is more particularly attacked; it is this which 
penetrates, dissolves, and decomposes them. 
Nutrition —After having undergone this first kind of 
alteration, the food is probably carried into a general sy- 
stem of absorption and internal circulation, where, by new 
modifications, it ends by being assimilated with the, sub- 
stance of the equorez; but all the agents in this double 
office elude our research. We cannot discover absorbent 
pores, nor any other vessels than those which fringe the 
mferior surface of the umbrella, and which scem to serve 
the purposes of respiration, as we sha!l soon find. Besides, 
these last vessels are absolutely simple, and we do not dis- 
cover any branch which is detached from them in order 
to penetrate the substance of the animal. ‘ 
Grawth and dimensions.—Whatever may be the nutri- 
tive 
