108 SOME TVOXDERS OF THE SEA. 



than the water in which they are suspended, the dis- 

 tended float seems scarcely thicker than a soap bubble, 

 and the only weight to be supported is that of the sail. 

 Sometimes the float is eight or even nine inches in its 

 longest diameter, and the appendages attain a length of 

 several feet. 



Like the Velella and Porpita, it has no power of 

 directing its course, but is blown about by the wind at 

 random, and is often found stranded on the shore. Now 

 and th,en a continued southerly wind will bring it to our 

 own coasts, but the occurrence is happily rare. The 

 scientific name of Physalia is derived from a Greek word 

 signifying a bladder, and the whole group of which it 

 forms a part are called by the name of Physophorida?, i.e. 

 bladder-bearers. 



Like the Porpita and Velella, the Physalia is a most 

 lovely creature. Blue of various shades, deepening into 

 purple on the crest or sail, is the usual hue of the portion 

 that floats above the surface of the water, while the 

 appendages that hang below from it are blue tinged with 

 carmine. Both body and tentacles are of a crystalline 

 translucency, so that a more beautiful object can hardly 

 be imagined. 



Attractive as it may be to the sense of sight, it is 

 most offensive to that of touch, and no one who has once 

 allowed a single filament to come in contact with his 

 skin will do so a second time. 



In the last chapter I described the weapons of the 

 Stanger Jelly Fish. The Physalia is infinitely more 



