﻿198 The Philippine Journal of Science 1914 



This distinguishes the medusa from C. quadrumanus, the most 

 nearly related form, which has finger-shaped saccules. 



This medusa was very abundant in Taytay Bay, Palawan, 

 and in Culion Bay, Culion, in May and June, 1913. Numerous 

 specimens were obtained, including many immature forms. They 

 agree exactly with Mayer's description of specimens collected 

 in Philippine waters by the Albatross. Much larger specimens 

 were seen than any as yet reported, some in Culion reaching 

 a diameter of at least 200 mm. There are 7 tentacles to each 

 pedalium in by far the greater number of specimens, and these 

 tentacles show in life narrow, lavender bands of nematocysts. 

 The tentacles are very long, slender, and flexible, reaching a 

 length of 1.5 meters or more. They are very delicate, and 

 usually break off and remain attached to the clothing or the 

 body when encountered in the water. 



The sting of this medusa is very dangerous. One of the 

 women in the party of the expedition to Palawan, who was stung 

 while in bathing, was very seriously ill. I have described the 

 symptoms more in detail in another place. 2 Swelling and in- 

 flammation began almost immediately in the areas which came in 

 contact with the tentacles, and later blisters formed along the 

 lines marked by contact with the tentacles. The lower limbs be- 

 came swollen, the heart action was impaired, respiratory spasms 

 and nervous twitchings of the muscles ensued, and the patient ex- 

 perienced intense general pain. The natives of Palawan reported 

 a number of deaths caused by the sting of this medusa. 



Mayer reports this medusa in the Albatross collection from 

 Masbate, Luzon, and Mindanao, and I have found it plentiful 

 in Culion and Palawan, from which it may be seen that it has a 

 wide range in the Philippines. 



Family PELAGID^E 



Genus DACTYLOMETRA L. Agassiz, 1862 



Dactylometra quinquecirrha L. Agassiz, "Chrysaora stage." 



At certain seasons of the year, particularly in October and 

 November, this medusa is found in large numbers in Manila 

 Bay where it is a menace to bathers and fishermen who hold 

 it in great fear. While all the specimens which I have seen 

 have shown only 24 tentacles and 32 marginal lappets and 

 many of them are apparently sexually mature, this medusa agrees 

 so closely in every other respect with D. quinquecirrha that I 

 have considered it as the "Chrysaora stage" of that species, 



1 This Journal, Sec. B (1914). 9, 291. 



