ME. T, EDWAED ON THE HABITS ETC. OE THE HTPEEIIDJi:. liiO 



I am not yet certain whether the two species alluded to be 

 animal feeders or not. If they are, as I know others of the 

 family to be, then they may have two other objects in view in 

 affixing themselves on the Medusa — one being shelter from their 

 enemies (if they have any), and the other to obtain food. It is 

 not at all impossible, bnt, as I think, rather probable, that other 

 and much more minute animals, or something else congenial to 

 their tastes, may exist in certain species of Medusa, and that 

 these may attract and afford them abundant and savoury food. 

 "When in these retreats, I have frequently observed, with the aid 

 of a glass, that their swimming-feet, as well as, sometimes, the 

 others, but more particularly the former, were kept almost con- 

 tinually in motion. I could also occasionally see the mandibles 

 and other appendages of the mouth moving. This was particu- 

 larly the case with S. galla. Prom these circumstances I have 

 been at times led to conclude that they were then in the act of 

 feeding. 



But whether I am right in these conjectures or not, I know 

 that they can and do leave the Medusa at will, or when occasion 

 suits them. I have often seen them do so, both in the water and 

 on the land. In the latter case, and when the Medusa has been 

 stranded for a little, they will come out, and, toppling over and 

 over, roll hither and thither in the most awkward manner ; for 

 decidedly they can neither stand on their feet, nor walk, nor even 

 crawl. But should they in thus tumbling headlong about again 

 by chance reach their own element, they will then dart away like 

 an arrow, seemingly taking no count as to the fate of the gela- 

 tinous friend that bore them to the shore. I have also taken 

 them from the Medusa, and placed both in a pool, to see if they 

 would again seek to enter. On these occasions a few of the 

 smaller would do so ; but the majority never did. They invariably 

 kept swimming about without paying the least attention to the 

 Medusa, and if an outlet could be found, off they went once more 

 to sea. I have myself, when the tide was rising, cut channels in 

 the sand to allow the water to run in instead of out, to see how 

 they would then act. It was aU one whether the water came in 

 or went out ; for whenever they got to the opening, away they 

 sped. Not content with this, I have taken them home to try 

 them there ; but although the Medusa throve well enough for 

 a time, the Hyperia never did ; and, unlike the case of the 

 rock-pools, under these circumstances I never saw any of them 

 attempt to return to the Medusa, but they kept continually 



LINN. PEOC. — ZOOLOGY, YOL. IX. 12 



