DEVELOPMENT OF JELLY-FISHES. 63 



nervous system is present in the ^EquoridcB and JEginidm, 

 but is most distinct and best developed in the Geryonidce 

 (Glossocodon and Carmarina). 



The Hertwigs have also observed in these Trachynemidae 

 organs of taste, consisting of groups of long stiff hairs at 

 the base of the tentacles. They have been observed in 

 Rhopalonema velatum, Aglaura nemistoma, and in Cunina, 

 where the hairs are shorter. 



The eggs, in developing, after total segmentation (morula 

 state) pass into a ciliated planula state as in Aurelia, there 

 being at first apparently no primitive gastric cavity ; the 

 body of the embryo or planula remains spherical, as in Gery- 

 onia, these being a slight metamorphosis ; or, as in Poly- 

 xenia and ^ginopsis, where there is a decided metamor- 

 phosis, the spherical ciliated planula greatly lengthens out 

 on each side, the body becoming boomerang-shaped, each 

 end of the boomerang becoming an arm or tentacle. Then 

 it becomes a gastrula, a central cavity and mouth appear- 

 ing. At right angles to the two primitive arms bud out 

 two others, and finally others appear on the lower edge of 

 the umbrella, and after slight changes the adult form is as- 

 sumed. Cunina is at first spherical, then, a single arm 

 developing, it becomes club-shaped ; finally, the full num- 

 ber of arms grow out, and the mature form results. It ap- 

 pears, then, that in the mode of development from eggs, 

 without passing through a hydra-like condition, and in the 

 structure of the body, the Trachymedusce connect the cov- 

 ered-eyed medusas with the naked-eyed or Hydroidea. The 

 American forms live in the waters of the Carolina shores. 

 Cunina octonaria McCrady lives in Charleston Harbor. 

 Cunina has been found by Haeckel growing on the columella 

 of Geryonia, and McCrady has found that our native Cunina 

 is parasitic on Turritopsis, a hydroid medusa. 



The Lucernarice, or Calycozoa, which, according to Clark, 

 form an order of Acalephs, are, with Huxley, regarded as 

 a suborder of Discopliora. With essentially the structure 

 of the Aurelia and allies, Lucernaria differs in having the 

 power of attaching itself by a sucker on the smaller end of 

 its body to sea-weeds, but can detach itself at will and swim. 



