THE NORTH SEA 83 



Then come the medusae of our summer sea. 

 These have got their name from the habit some of 

 them have of twisting up their tentacles, like the 

 locks of the fabled Gorgon's head. But the un- 

 pleasant suggestiveness is removed by some epithet 

 such as delicate medusae, or medusa flowers; and 

 thus we are set at liberty to admire the beauty 

 of the creature. Medusa flowers is perhaps the 

 happiest description. 



The ugly name jelly-fishes is only applicable to 

 the larger medusas stranded in unsightly masses, 

 along the coast. That with the four purple horse- 

 shoe marks is Aurelia aurita. The large brown 

 mass with long streamers is Cyanea capillata. 

 The latter is a formidable creature, because of its 

 stinging capsules. 



All these propel themselves by the opening, and 

 shutting of the bell, or disc. Others move by the 

 surface play of eight rows of flaps, whose direction is 

 marked by the flow of waves of iridescent light. 



The sanguine hues of life are toned down to the 

 neutral shades of the surroundings. In the crystal 

 waters, we have crystal organisms. The eye can 

 look through and through them, and, when at 

 length, not without difficulty, it separates them out 

 as distinct objects, it can see the vital processes, 



