found in the Northumberland Lakes. 287 
seen scattered about like as many minute Florence flasks ; the 
bulbous extremity being elegantly rounded. For the purpose of 
ascertaining if the animal really possessed this power, a small 
worm was given to a polype when under the microscope, and 
carefully watched. The animal was exceedingly cautious in 
using its tentacles, not applying them im their whole extent as 
might have been expected, but keeping by far the greater portion 
of these organs perfectly free and unattached to its prey. Very 
few of the arrow-heads were exserted, and apparently never till 
required ; occasionally certain parts of the tentacles were brought 
into contact with the worm, and then, as it was forcibly drawn 
further into the mouth, the protruded barbs might be seen sticking 
in the surface of the struggling victim. At other times, as it 
rolled about in its vain endeavours to escape, the bulbous extre- 
mities of several of these formidable weapons were seen pro- 
truding from the skin, undoubtedly placed there by the pungent 
embrace of this deadly and determined foe; while others lay 
scattered about in every direction as if just cast from the tentacles. 
It is therefore evident that these weapons can be used either as 
grappling instruments for securing food, or having been plunged 
into some living prey, can be left half-buried in the wound. In- 
deed when the barbs have been once fairly immersed, it is difficult 
to conceive how they can be withdrawn ; and therefore it is pro- 
bable that the tentacles can only be disengaged by moulting these 
organs, which seem to be very slightly attached by the neck of 
the flask-like portion. 
This, however, may not be the only reason why these weapons 
are left in the wound. It has been stated that they are stinging 
as well as captor organs, and if so may require time to pour the 
poison into the wounded animal. The deadly fluid is probably 
contained in the bulbous portion of the instrument, and by the 
contraction of its walls may be forced through the other extre- 
mity which is perforated ; at least from the extreme point a long, 
delicate filament, fig. 10 d, almost invariably protrudes, re- 
sembling very closely the appearance of the long process attached 
to the stmging bodies thrown out of the papille of Holts, and 
from the tentacles of Actinia. But other bodies much more 
closely resembling the stinging organs of these animals were 
found strewed about associated with the captor organs. These 
bodies, fig. 11, are minute elliptical sacs with a long, slender 
filament from one end like that just mentioned from the pointed 
extremity of the captor organ. The filaments of both these 
bodies have a double margin, and are apparently tubular. Now 
it is more than probable that these elliptical sacs are thrown out 
of the captor organ, and that the filament, so frequently seen 
