CORALS, SEA-ANEMONES, AND JELLY-FISHES 763 



Fhatt by IV. Savilh-Ktnl, F.Z.S.] 



A GIANT ANEMONE 



FROM THE 

 BARRIER REEF 



IMilford-on-Sta 



GREAT 



From 18 inches to 2 feet m diameter ivhen expanded. Bright apple-green in 

 colour J and luith almost spherical bead-like tentacles 



The larger number of the jelly- 

 fishes are, as a matter of fact, 

 transitional phases only of the fixed 

 hydroid polyps previously referred to. 

 In certain instances the body of the 

 fixed polyp becomes elongated, and 

 splits up horizontally into a series 

 of jelly-fishes, or medusas, resembling 

 a pile of saucers, which consecutively 

 break away and lead a free-ro\'ing 

 existence. In other forms a com- 

 pound tree-like growth gives birth 

 to medusa-like buds, like the flowers 

 on a plant, which ultimately become 

 detached and swim away. What \ 

 are known as the Comb-be.\RING 

 Jelly-fishes — their locomotive or- 

 gans consisting of comb-like bands of 

 vibratile hairs — are especially note- 

 worthy. In some of these the body 

 is nearly spherical or ovate, one of 

 the species, in reference to its shape, 

 being popularly known as the Se.\- 

 LEMON. A notable feature of these medusas is their remarkable glass-like transparency, their 



, presence in the water in many 



instances being recognisable only 

 by the prismatic glimmerings of 

 their rows of vibratile hairs when 

 the light falls upon them at a 

 favourable angle. The most remark- 

 able member of this particular group 

 is undoubtedly the form known as 

 Venus's Girdle. This species takes 

 the form of a long, ribbon-like band 

 of transparent jelly. The edges of 

 the ribbon are clothed with vibratile 

 hairs, and the mouth is situated in 

 the centre of one of the edges. The 

 animal progresses by the action of 

 its hairs alone, or may be assisted 

 by the twistings and undulations of 

 its ribbon-like body. 



Many jelly-fishes possess an un- 

 enviable reputation with reference 

 to their stinging properties. The so- 

 called Portuguese Man-of-war is 

 one of the more noteworthy of these. 

 The organism consists of an ovately 

 pointed air-bladder, which floats on 

 the water, and from which depend 

 numerous nutritive polyps and a mass 

 of capturing-filaments, or tentacles. 



photo by IV, SaviUi-Kint., V.Z.S.'] 



IMilford-on-Sta 



A GIANT SEA-ANEMONE 



Measures, ivhen opened, iS inches in diameter. Is almost always associated with 



companion or " commensal" Jish and crabs of brilliant colour. The 



fsh cruise round in search of food, but always return to 



shelter among the anemone' s tentacles. Photograph 



taken through the water 



