310 Mr. C. CoUingwood on Oceanic Forms of Hydrozoa. 



It is uot to be wondered at that these light bodies, which 

 present moi-e or less sail to the wind, should be blown ashore in 

 a gale. Thus I have found a Velella on the Lancashire coast ; 

 and abroad, as, for example, on Bush Island, at the mouth of 

 Kelung Harbour, Formosa, after windy weather, 1 have seen 

 thousands of the first two genera lying high and dry upon the 

 rocks. 



But the most magnificent specimens of these richly coloured 

 animals [Physalm) occurred in the Atlantic Ocean, near the 

 equator. On the 19th of June, in lat. 13' S. and long. 22° W., 

 wind S.S.E., therm. 77°, bar. 30°" 1, the sea was moderately 

 calm, and from time to time during the day splendid individuals 

 of Physalia pelagica sailed by, attracting attention, even when 

 far off, by their large size and brilliant colours. They had the 

 appearance of beautiful prismatic shells standing upright upon 

 rich blue cushions, the shell being radiated from the base or 

 cushion to the circumference, which was fringed with a rich and 

 bright rose-colour. They were not in great abundance, but one 

 would float by every five minutes or so. 



The largest Plit/salia which I examined measured as follows : — 



Extreme length of bladder 8 inches. 



Greatest vertical circumference 10^ „ 



Height of bladder above water 2| „ 



But this was considerably reduced from the natural height ; for 

 the rose-coloured crest had collapsed, which would have added 

 at least | inch to it, making a total of 3^ inches in height above 

 the water. I had judged them to be about 8 inches long, before 

 I captured one, by the expedient of throwing nato the water a 

 piece of wood of ascertained length, which 1 carefully compared 

 with the animal as it floated near it. No one on board the ship 

 had ever seen such magnificent Fhysalice, although they hiid 

 been at sea many years. Some thought at first that they had 

 seen them as large in the AVest Indies, but they were fain to 

 confess at last that the large one I measured exceeded the 

 largest the}'^ had ever seen. I saw these large P/njsalics subse- 

 quently on more than one occasion, the last being in lat. 26° N., 

 though higher than this somewhat smaller specimens occurred. 

 The stinging-propensities of these Hydrozoa were not gene- 

 rally known, but were destined to make themselves evident at 

 the expense of one unfortunate man. A boat happened to be 

 lowered early in the day ; and one of the crew, seeing a large 

 Physalia float within reach, took it up with his naked hand. 

 The threads clung to his hand and arm, penetrating to the 

 axilla and down the side, causing the man to yell with agony. 

 He was quickly brought on board, and, as soon as he reached 



