8 THE PHYSALIA. 



when it is taken from the water, no such change 

 occurs ; the bladder still remains inflated, and 

 can be preserved thus distended either in a 

 dried state or by placing it in alcohol. During 

 strong breezes, I have seen them floating on the 

 waves ; but, from the ship passing at that 

 time rapidly through the water, they are then 

 more rarely observed. I have also seen them 

 thrown in tempestuous weather on the beach at 

 New South Wales, the bladder portion of the 

 animal still remaining inflated. From these, 

 and other reasons which might be adduced, the 

 assertion cannot be considered as the result of 

 actual observation. Situated at the under por- 

 tion of the animal is a mass of tentacular, some 

 short and thick, others long, filiform, and ex- 

 tending to several yards in length : these seem 

 to consist of a chain of globules, filled with an 

 extremely acrid fluid : in colour, they are of a 

 beautiful purple, with an admixture of crimson ; 

 and they are covered by a glutinous substance, 

 having a peculiar odour. The inflated mem- 

 brane is probably intended to keep the animal 

 buoyant on the water, by which it is readily en- 

 abled to extend its long tentaculse in search of prey, 

 or it may be designed as a locomotive agent, 

 aiding the animal in its progress over the ' ' vast 

 bosom of the ocean," — thus serving the purpose 



