JELLY-FISHES 



873 



the ' naked-eye ' group, of which Thaumantias (fig. 663) may be 

 taken as a representative, are really to be considered as the detached 

 sexual apparatus of the zoophytes from which they have been 



FIG. 663. A, Thaumantias pilosella, one of the ' naked-eye ' Medusae : a, a, 

 oral tentacles ; 6, stomach ; c 1 , gastro-vascular canals, having the ovaries, 

 d d, on either side, and terminating in the marginal canal, e e. B, Thau- 

 mantias Eschscholtzii, Haeckel. 



budded off, endowed with independent organs of nutrition and 

 locomotion, whereby they become capable of maintaining their own 

 existence and of developing their sexual products. The general con- 

 formation of these organs will be understood from the accompany- 

 ing figure. Many of this group are very beautiful objects for 



