MEDUSA AND HER LOCKS. 145 



days by a similar injury. And it may perchance happen 

 that whereas the contact of the Cyanea's trailing fila- 

 ments may affect one person with almost unendurable 

 pangs, another may be entangled within their folds 

 with comparative impunity. 



As, however, even the comparative degree is in this 

 case to be avoided with the utmost care, I repeat the 

 advice given in the earlier portion of this narrative, and 

 earnestly counsel the reader to look out carefully for 

 the stinger, and, above all things, never to swim across 

 its track, no matter how distant the animal may be, 

 for the creature can cast forth its envenomed filaments 

 to an almost interminable length, and even when 

 separated from the parent body, each filament, or each 

 fragment thereof, will sting just as fiercely as if still 

 attached to the creature whence it issued. It will be 

 seen, therefore, that the safest plan will always be 'to 

 keep well in front of any tawny mass that may be seen 

 floating on the waves, and to allow at least a hundred 

 yards before venturing to cross its course. Perhaps 

 this advice may be thought overstrained by the inex- 

 perienced. 



' Those jest at scars who never felt a wound, 



but he who has purchased a painful knowledge at the 

 cost of many wounds will deem his courage in no wise 

 diminished if he does his best to keep out of the way 

 of a foe who cares nothing for assaults, who may be cut 

 into a thousand pieces without losing one jot of his of- 

 fensive powers, and who never can be met on equal terms. 



