EUCOPE PYRIFORMIS. 



Eucope pyriformis A. Agass. 



Laomedea gelalinosa Leidy (non Auct.). Mar. Inv. New York and Rhode Island, p. 6. 1855. 



^'s-'^-T- This Medusa has, on its es- 



cape from the reproductive caly- 

 cles, small pear-shaped ovaries 

 placed close to the digestive 

 cavity (Fig. 127), which is short 

 and almost globular ; there are 

 four chymiferous tubes ; the 

 tentacles are shorter than in 

 Obelia commissuralis, and not 

 as slender; at the moment of hatching there are twenty-four tenta- 

 cles, five between each of the chy- Fig. 128. 

 miferous tubes (Fig. 128), and two 

 large marginal capsules, with one 

 granule in each, placed a little on 

 one side (towards the circular tube) 

 of the two tentacles adjoining the 

 middle one between the chymiferous 

 tubes ; the lasso cells are arranged in 

 broken rings round the tentacles. The 

 Hydrarium (Fig. 129) is found growing 

 in large quantities on the eel-grass ; 

 the waUs of the tube run parallel to 

 the outer envelope ; there are no 

 knees or breaks in the continuity, nor are there any swellings where 

 j..^ j^g the reproductive calycles are attached ; the 

 branches are wide apart, the whole tuft spread- 

 ing like a bush ; the bell of the hydra is short 

 and flaring, and is attached to the main stem by 

 a long branch, having from twelve to fifteen 

 rings. The reproductive calycles vary greatly 

 in shape during their growth ; when small, they 

 are almost rectangular, with rounded corners, 

 and a slight constriction in the middle ; as they 

 become larger, they grow more pear-shaped ; 

 and in still more advanced stages the calycles 

 assume the shape of an elongated ellipse, with 

 a pointed cap, and three or four deep constric- 



Fig. 127. E. pyriformis, seen in profile ; greatly magnified. 



Fig. 128. Quarter of disk of same Medusa. 



Fig. 129. Portion of Hydreirium of E. pyriformis ; magnified. 



