CORALS, SEA-ANEMONES, AND JELLY-FISHES 
365 
The larger number of the jelly- 
fishes are, as a 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 
matter 
of jelly-fishes, or medusas, resembling 
a pile of saucers, which consecutively 
break away and lead a free-roving 
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-BEARING 
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 SEA- 
LEMON. 
| 
{ 
Photo by HW’, Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] 
A GIANT ANEMONE FROM THE 
From 18 inches to 2 feet in diameter when expanded. 
[Milford-on-Sea 
GREAT 
BARRIER REEF 
Bright apple-green in 
colour, and with almost spherical bead-like tentacles 
Photo by W, Saville-Kent, F.Z.8.] 
A GIANT SEA-ANEMONE 
Measures, when opened, 18 inches in diameter. 
[Milford-on-Sea 
Ts almost always associated with 
companion or ‘* commensal’” fish and crabs of brilliant colour. The 
fish cruise round in search of food, but always return to 
shelter among the anemone’s tentacles. 
taken through the water 
24 
Photograph 
7 
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 
their rows of vibratile hairs when 
the light falis upon them at a 
favourable angle. The most remark- 
abie member of this particular group 
is undoubtedly the form known as 
VENUS’S GIRDLE. This species takes 
the form of a long, ribbon-Jike 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. 
glimmerings of 
