MODEERA FOEMOSA. 217 



to thirty or forty in number, are first formed at the 

 top, and slowly extend downwards. Gradually as 

 these furrows become deeper, the tentacula waste 

 away, and upon the margin of the upper ring eight 

 equi-distant rays are formed. The process continu- 

 ing, in the space of a fortnight or so each groove or 

 ring is in like manner furnished with rays. The 

 Medusae now present an appearance exactly resem- 

 bling a series of cups piled up one within the other. 

 Strange to state, each little cup becomes eventually 

 endowed with life! As the uppermost segment is 

 completely developed, it rests upon the slender lips 

 of the one beneath. It then glides off from its old 

 resting-place, and swims freely about in the water. 

 Quickly it aspires to the rippling surface above, and 

 by a series of graceful evolutions accomplishes its 

 object. Once among the dancing waves and ex- 

 posed to the rays of a cheering sun, our little Medusa 

 assumes its complete form ; and as a beautiful Modeera 

 formosa, it may be destined at some time or other 

 to be the prize of an ardent zoologist, who, I 

 venture to assert, could not compliment it in more 

 poetical language than Professor Forbes has already 

 done. This delightful author, describing the little 

 gem in question, says, e It is gorgeous enough to be 

 the diadem of sea fairies, and sufficiently graceful to 

 be the night-cap of the tiniest and prettiest of mer- 

 maidens/ Or as an adult Cyanea capillata, our 

 once insignificant jelly -bag may perhaps appear, and 



