Ccelenterates 47 



by a mere touch, and engulf him 

 entire. A comparatively small jelly-fish 

 or anemone can actually paralyse a fish 

 four times its size, quelling its desperate 

 struggles in a few seconds. How is this 

 accomplished ? 



In the tentacles of every jelly-fish or 

 anemone are countless capsules contain- 

 ing an acid liquid, and within each such 

 capsule is coiled an infinitely fine hollow 

 thread having at one end several minute 

 anchors. The appliance may be com- 

 pared to a miniature harpoon and line, 

 the entire mechanism smaller than a pin's 

 head. When touched, the anchors, with 

 line complete, are uncoiled and flung 

 forth with the velocity of a bullet leaving 

 a rifle. The darts pierce the skin or 

 armour-plating as worn by a prawn, and 

 the poisonous fluid is injected. No won- 

 der therefore that small victims collapse 

 into a helpless mass of flesh that is drawn 

 into the poisoner's interior. 



