JELLY-FISHES. 359 



transparent medium of sea water, I placed a Beroe in a 

 weak infusion of saffron. At the end of twenty minutes 

 its colour had undergone a perceptible cliange. I 

 allowed it, however, to remain immei'sed for about six 

 or seven hours, when it had assumed a bright yellow 

 hue. It was then placed in pure sea-water, but retained 

 its yellow colour for twenty-four hours afterwards ; and 

 though it gradually became fainter, it was very percep- 

 tible even at the expiration of forty-eight hours." 



I am sure you will pardon my interrupting your 

 microscopic gazings for a moment by quoting the fol- 

 lowing charming lines by the Kev. Dr. Drummond, 

 which were elicited by his having watched with pleasure 

 the elegant form and motions of this little creature. 



" Now o'er the stern the fine-raeshed net-bag fling, 

 And from the deep the little Beroe bring : 

 Beneath the sun-lit wave she swims concealed 

 By her own brightness ; — only now revealed 

 To sage's eye, that gazes with delight 

 On things invisible to vulgar sight. 

 ">\'hen first extracted from her native brine, 

 Behold a small round mass of gelatine, 

 Or frozen dew-drop, void of life or limb : 

 But round the crystal goblet let her swim 

 'Midst her own element — and lo ! a sphere 

 Banded from pole to pole — a diamond clear, 

 Shaped as bard's fancy shapes the small balloon 

 To bear some sylph or fay beyond the moon. 

 From all her bands see lucid fringes play, 

 That glance and sparkle in the solar ray 

 ^Vith iridescent hues. Now round and round 

 She wheels and twirls — now mounts — then sinks profound. 

 Now see her, hke the belted star of Jove, 

 Spin on her axis smooth — as if she strove 

 To win applause — a thing of conscious sense, 

 Quivering and thriUing with delight intense. 

 Long silvery cords she treasures in her sides, 



