THE PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR. 169 



only three or four inches, and its substance ex- 

 tremely delicate. The countless cilia, placed on the 

 margins of its body, are its oars, which move it in 

 graceful undulations through the tranquil waters. 

 They serve also to bring food to the mouth a small 

 orifice placed on the upper margin, near the middle 

 of the body; and the digested nutriment is conveyed 

 through long canals to the remotest parts of the 

 animal. 



Far more frequently is the 

 Physalus found, called by 

 seamen the Portuguese man- 

 of-war. Its body consists of 

 a large pear-shaped vesicle, 

 containing air, which floats 

 upon the water ; and from 

 the lower portion descend a 

 variety of organs to hold prey, 

 to suck nutriment, and to 

 bear eggs. From the upper 

 part rises a beautiful purple 

 sail, which bears the physa- 

 lus onwards alone, or in 

 company with a fleet of its 

 kind. Wishing to sink be- PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR. 



., , THE PHYSALUS. 



neath the waves, or sensible 



of danger, it forces the air through orifices pro- 

 vided for its escape, and again, at its pleasure, 

 becomes full of this fluid, that it may float on the 

 bosom of the sea. 



