310 Mr. C. Collingwood on Oceanic Forms of Hydrozoa. 
It is not to be wondered at that these light bodies, which 
present more or less sail to the wind, should be blown ashore in . 
a gale. Thus I have found a Velella on the Lancashire coast ; 
and abroad, as, for example, on Bush Island, at the mouth of 
Kelung Harbour, Formosa, after windy weather, I have seen 
pa of the first two genera lying high and dry upon the 
rocks. 
But the most magnificent specimens of these richly coloured 
animals (Physalie) occurred in the Atlantic Ocean, near the 
equator. On the 19th of June, in lat. 13! 8. and long. 22° W.., 
wind 8.S.E., therm. 77°, bar. 30°1, the sea was moderately 
calm, and from time to time during the day splendid individuals 
of Physalia pelagica sailed by, attracting attention, even when 
far off, by their large size and brilliant colours. They had the 
appearance of beautiful prismatic shells standing upright wpon 
rich blue cushions, the shell being radiated from the base or 
cushion to the circumference, which was fringed with a rich and 
bright rose-colour. They were not in great abundance, but one 
would float by every five minutes or so. 
The largest Physalia which I examined measured as follows :— 
Extreme length Of DIAAGEE v5 as oes ss 2s 8 inches. 
Greatest vertical cireumference.......... 102 5, 
Height of bladder above water .......... 22 4 
But this was considerably reduced from the natural height ; for 
the rose-coloured crest had collapsed, which would have added 
at least ? inch to it, making a total of 34 inches in height above 
the water. I had judged them to be about 8 inches long, before 
I captured one, by the expedient of throwing into the water a 
piece of wood of ascertained length, which I carefully compared 
with the animal as it floated near it. No one on board the ship 
had ever seen such magnificent Physaliz, although they had 
been at sea many years. Some thought at first that they had 
seen them as large in the West Indies, but they were fain to 
confess at last that the large one I measured exceeded the 
largest they had ever seen. I saw these large Physalie subse- 
quently on more than one occasion, the last being in lat. 26° N., 
though higher than this somewhat smaller specimens occurred. 
_ The stinging-propensities of these Hydrozoa were not gene- 
rally known, but were destined to make themselves evident at 
the expense of one unfortunate man. A boat happened to be 
lowered early in the day; and one of the crew, seeing a large 
Physalia float within reach, took it up with his naked hand. 
The threads clung to his hand and arm, penetrating to the 
axilla and down the side; causing the man to yell with agony. 
He was quickly brought on board, and, as soon as he reached 
