THE FURBELOWS. 3G9 



were perfectly regular, leisurely, and energetic ; yet 

 their effect in moving the body seemed feeble and 

 laborious ; every stroke, for example, raising the disk 

 an almost inappreciable distance, when it wished to 

 ascend from the bottom to the surface; forming a 

 marked contrast to the minute but agile Turris 

 neglecta, which shoots at every contraction a distance 

 three or four times its own diameter. 



The Chrysaora does not rest at the surface as some 

 Medusae do ; but occasionally allows itself to sink 

 slowly to the bottom, where (or but slightly elevated 

 above it) it intermits for a while its laboured con- 

 tractions. 



The furbelows, as well as the tentacles, are organs 

 of prehension, used for the capture of prey. I have 

 some reason to believe that the former, at least near 

 their origin, perform an active part in digestion- 

 Casually touching the animal with a stick, not only 

 did several of the tentacles entwine round it, but the 

 furbelows also presently adhered to it, partially em- 

 bracing it; and I became conscious that the latter 

 were drawing the stick towards the peduncle with 

 considerable force; nor was it an easy matter to 

 liberate it from the firm grasp. This circumstance 

 suggested the thought that the animal might be 

 hungry, especially as it had been in my possession 

 several days without food. 



I determined therefore to give it a dinner ; and, that 

 there might be wanting no incentive to appetite, one 

 which a prime minister would not have disdained — a 

 Whitebait dinner. I had just before netted in a tide- 

 pool, half a dozen of these brilliant little fishes ; and 



