CRIMSON-KINGED JELLY-FISH. 267 



wise to the eye, and reminded .me of the coronce of glory 

 in the pictures of the Italian school, round the heads of 

 saints. 



Most of the larger Medusas of our coasts belong to 

 another order, including those which have covered eyes, 

 and some other peculiarities, chiefly connected with 

 reproduction. The Lucernarice, which I have already 

 noticed, formerly associated with the Anemones, are 

 now united with this order. A very familiar example 

 we may see in our harbours and tidal rivers in summer, 

 the common Crimson-ringed Jelly-fish. 1 It is a hemi- 

 sphere of colourless jelly, some six or eight inches in 

 diameter, which is usually well marked by four imper- 

 fect rings of purplish crimson the reproductive organs 

 seen through the transparent flesh. The radiating 

 vessels are often tinged with the same colour. 



The most interesting circumstances in the history of 

 this large jelly-fish are the wonderfully varied phases 

 through which it passes in the earlier stages of its 

 existence. Along the margins of the lengthened flaps 

 of the polypite there are found remarkable pouches, 

 within which the ova are placed, and whence they are 

 hatched in the form of soft flat animalcules, capable of 



1 A urelia aurita, represented (about one-fourth of the natural size) in 

 Plate xxx. On the extreme right and left are seen the young, in the 

 stages of Hydra, Strobila, and Ephydra. 



