VELELLA. 257 



is Jenkins, the collector at Tenby, who was attending 

 nae when they were found. 



" The Physalia was taken by me first ; and, while I 

 was admiring it, I noticed that Jenkins continued search- 

 ing for something. Immediately afterwards he came up 

 with the Velella in his hand, at the same time stating 

 they were generally found with the Portuguese man-of- 

 war. As I had found the man very honest and truthful 

 in his dealings with me (and not previously being 

 familiar with either of the creatures), I accepted the 

 information as correct." 



The Velella is a creature closely allied to the Physalia, 

 having the same essential structure, but differing greatly 

 in form and appearance. It consists of a flat disk of 

 thin cartilaginous shell, of a long rectangular outline, 

 on which stands erect another similar plate somewhat 

 triangular, extending across from corner to corner. 

 One large polypite or mouth hangs down from the centre 

 of the under side, and short tentacles project on all 

 sides from the edges of the horizontal plate. The 

 internal structure is very complex. The whole is 

 enclosed in a thin layer of flesh, which is tinged of a 

 fine blue colour, sometimes varied with purple and 

 green. It is generally about two inches long, and the 

 erect plate rather less in height. As the little creature 

 floats on the waves, this plate forms a sail, and the 

 R 



