HALF AN HOUR WITH JELLY-FISH. 



Ill 



Fig. 59. 



than those we have been dwelling upon, and can 

 only be obtained by a tow-net. 



A pretty object, to be obtained 

 in the same manner, is the Sarsia, 

 named after the celebrated Nor- 

 wegian naturalist Sars. It is 

 exceedingly abundant in the 

 Solent, and may be kept alive 

 for a fortnight in a bell-glass 

 without much trouble, thus ena- 

 bling the student to become ac- 

 quainted with all its habits. It 

 is only about half an inch in 

 height, and is deeply bell-shaped, 

 as may be seen in Fig. 60. The 

 upper part is thick, and the 

 sarcode thins off along the edges. 

 From the interior there hangs 

 the polypite or stomach, like the 

 clapper from a bell. The mouth 

 of this organ has four lips, with 

 which it can seize its food and 

 take in objects, such as even the 

 fry of fishes, much larger than 

 its own diameter. The Sarsia 

 shoots to and fro in the water 

 by contraction, almost as rapidly 

 as a fish swims. It has four 

 little marginal tentacles, arising 

 from four little tubercles, each of which bears a little 



Turris digitalis, X 3. 

 Fis. 60. 



Sarsia tubulosa, x 2. 



