




SWIMMING SEA-NETTLES.—Acalepha. 
NET GES. 2G rat BAe ie 
now arrive at a large and important class of animals. 
These beings, represented by some specimens in the accompanying illustration, 
are scientifically termed Acalepha, or Nettles, a word which may be freely ren- 
dered as Sea-nettles. The term is appropriate to many of the species which 
compose this large class, for a very great number of the Acalepha are possessed 
of certain poisoned weapons which pierce the skin, and irritate the nerves as 

if they were veritable stinging-nettles floating about in the sea. Popularly, 
they are known by the familiar term Jelly-fishes, because their structure is so gelatinous, 
nostly clear and transparent, but sometimes semi-opaque or colored with most beauti- 
