210 SEASIDE DIVINITY. 



in the deepening twilight the phosphorescent 

 radiance of the larger acalephse, as the boat glides 

 silently past them, and to admire the shower of 

 sparks that fall from the oars at every stroke, 

 produced by the microscopic animals of the same 

 kind. 



The order of acalephae now referred to, are dis- 

 tinguished from others by their mode of swimming. 

 This they effect, as has been stated, by the sudden 

 contraction of their mushroom-shaped bodies, 

 which thus strike the water with their under 

 parts, and propel themselves forward. This move- 

 ment, easily perceptible in smooth water, has a 

 sort of resemblance to the action of breathing 

 performed by the lungs, and from this fancied 

 similarity to the heavings of the chest, the general 

 name of Pulmonigrade is applied to the whole of 

 this order of jelly-fish. 



Another order is known by the name Ciliograde, 

 because they progress, not by alternate contraction 

 and expansion, but by means of the cilia that 

 fringe their bodies. These minute and innumerable 

 cilia or hairs strike the water like a set of paddles, 

 ranged in rows along the outside of the living 

 machine ; and thus propel it through the deep. 



One of the members of this class, of most 

 fascinating aspect, is known to naturalists by the 

 name Beroe, and the name is absurd enough ; for 

 what resemblance is mere between this beautiful 

 and symmetrical creature and the decrepid old 

 woman whom Juno impersonated in her inter- 

 view with Semele ? 



