48 THE SEA-SIDE AND AQUARIUM. 



the Medusae attain a very large size. They are not 

 unfrequently encountered by bathers, and under such 

 circumstances, an embrace from one is neither safe 

 nor pleasant. The following is the experience of an 

 unhappy swimmer in the Frith of Forth : 



" In a moment it" (the Medusa) "enwrapped me, so 

 that every part of my body was stung, and I could 

 only disengage myself by tearing the animal piece- 

 meal from me, at the peril of my hands, which be- 

 came just as if I had poured vitriol on them. With 

 great difficulty I swam back toward the shore \ but 

 when I reached the machine, I had not strength 

 enough to dress, and was afterward led home by two 

 persons. A medical friend ordered an application of 

 oil and vinegar. Intense agony, as if stung by thou- 

 sands of wasps, continued for about eight hours ; and 

 if it had not then terminated, I must have sunk be- 

 neath the torture. I felt an internal soreness, and 

 was unable to eat for two days. The inflammation 

 of the throat continued for a fortnight." 



This would, I imagine, have been the common 

 Scoudre, which is very abundant on the Scottish 

 coast. I have seen it very nearly the size above 

 stated, and Dr Landsborough mentions that not only 

 does it sting when in a perfect state, but that " the 

 threads retain their virulence after they have been sepa- 

 rated from the animal by the force of the waves" In 

 confirmation of this statement he narrates the follow- 

 ing anecdote : 



" When I was in a boat one day, near Ardrossan, 



