348 THE RUBY MEDUSA. 



mach in one, and the angular ciliated processes in 

 the other ; the number of the radiating canals and of 

 the tentacles : the colour of the former, violet in one, 

 roseate in the other ; the pendent membranes that are 

 attached to them in the one case, and not in the 

 other ; the colour of the stomach, foxy-brown in the 

 one, rose-pink in the other ; and the difference in the 

 size of the tentacles and their hulhs in the two cases ; 

 — are diversities so prominent and ohvious, that I 

 hesitate not for a moment in pronouncing the two 

 species distinct. I cannot any better succeed in 

 identifying my beautiful Medusa with any of the same 

 genus that I can find described by foreign authors. 

 I therefore propose to distinguish the present species 

 as Mquorea Forbesiana, in unfeigned honour and 

 respect for a naturalist of the highest eminence, 

 whose pen and pencil have alike served to elucidate, 

 above all his compeers, these very lovely forms. 



THE RUBY MEDUSA. 



Throughout the autumn the sea around Ilfracombe 

 was thickly peopled by that charming little Medusa, 

 Turris neglecta. It was found in the quiet rock-pools 

 between the tides, in the harbour, and in the open sea, 

 so that the net could scarcely be dipped without 

 bringing up one or more, looking like '* beads of coral" 

 on the muslin. And when put into a glass vessel of 

 sea-water, few sights could be more pleasing than a 

 dozeii of these tiny gems stretching their delicate 

 tentacles, and shooting along by vigorous strokes in 

 various directions through the clear element. Nor 



