162 A CONTRIBUTION TO, ETC. 



Most of the zoophytes to which I now refer, are too small to in- 

 terest the general observer, but as he is wandering amongst 

 the rocks near the sea, he cannot fail to notice the sea-anemones 

 or Actinia, for these are visible to the naked eye, and claim 

 attention on account of their beauty. Nor, indeed, as he walks 

 along the shore of Manly at certain periods, will the Por- 

 tuguese Man-of-War (Physalia) escape his observation, for speci- 

 mens may be seen in great abundance, as the retiring tide leaves 

 them on the strand. This little acalephous creature is figured 

 and described in Dr. Bennett's work ; but I would caution the 

 uninitiated not to handle it too affectionately, for by persons of 

 certain temperaments, it cannot 'be touched without incon- 

 venience. Most persons are stung or burned in the fingers by 

 handling it, but sometimes more serious consequences arise, as 

 indeed Dr. Bennett has hinted. The same unpleasant sensations 

 arise from coming in contact with some species of Medusa, as in 

 not a few, Culvier informs us, the gelatinous matter which fills 

 the integument of the disc is of so acrid a nature, as to irritate 

 a'nd blister the skin. 1 recollect having visited the baths at 

 Southampton many years since, and on coming out of the water 

 where there had been some Medusce, I experienced the same feel- 

 ings as if I had been rolling in a bed of sting-nettles. There is 

 another animal which may often be seen at Manly, for a de- 

 scription of which we are indebted to the distinguished naturalist 

 W. S. Macleay, Esq., I mean Boltenia reniformis, belonging to a 

 sub-genus of ascidia. The following is the generic character of 

 Boltenia as reformed by Mr. Macleay : " Body with a coriaceous 

 test, supported from the summit by a long pedicle, and having 

 both orifices lateral and cleft into four rays. Branchial pouch 

 divided into longitudinal folds, surmounted by a circle of com- 

 pound tentacula, and having the reticulation of its respiratory 

 tissue simple ; abdomen lateral, ovary multiple." 



