THE VELELLA. 



filled with air-cells and sufficiently buoyant to keep the 

 animal on a level with the surface of the water ; and 

 the vertical plate, rising into the air, acts like a sail, by 



which the creature is driven rapidly along. From the 

 lower surface of the body hang down numerous long, 

 dark-blue tentacular appendages, or cirrhi, disposed in 

 several rows, by the motion of which the animal can 

 change its direction, or move along when there is not 

 wind enough to catch its tiny sail. It is a fearless 

 navigator, boldly venturing, 



" Like little wanton boys, that swim on bladders," 



across the widest and deepest ocean. Perhaps none 

 of the Jelly-fishes have a more extended geographical 

 range. Their centre appears to be in the warmer parts 

 of the ocean, and they are sent northwards and south- 

 wards into high latitudes of either hemisphere by the 

 force of the great oceanic currents. On the west coast 

 of Ireland, especially towards the close of the summer, 

 vast numbers of Velelloe are driven on shore, entangled 



Q 



