Corals, Sea'anemones, and Jelly-fishes 



763 



rhr,t,jl,:i \v. !iac.Uc-Kr,it. F.Z.ii.] [ililjuvd-ua-aai. 



A GIAXT AXEJIONE FKOM THE GREAT BARRIER KEEP. 



From 18 inches to 2 feet in diameter when cxianded. Biigbt apple-gvecn in 

 colonr, and with almost sptieiioal bead-like tentacles. 



Tlie 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 liecoines elongated, and 

 splits u\) horizontally into a series 

 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- 

 jiound 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 organs 

 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- 



LEiiON. 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 jellv. The edges of 



the ribbon are clothed with \dl:)ratile 



hairs, and the mouth is situated in 



the centre of one of the edges. The 



animal i")rogi'esses by the action of 



its hairs alone, or may be assisted 



by the twistings and undulations of 



its ribbon-like body. 



]\Iany jelly-fishes possess an un- 

 enviable reputation with reference 



to their stinging properties. The 



so-called Portuguese JIan-of-wak 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. 



ri,oloh^ ir. Sanllf-Kutt, F.Z.S.] 



A G-IAXT SEA-ANEMOXB. 



lJl<!/(jixl uii-bia. 



Measmes, A\ben opened, TS inclies in diametei-. Is almost always associated with 

 companion or " commensal" fisb and crabs of brilliant colonr. The fish cruise lound 

 in search of food, but always retui'n to shelter among tlie anemone's tentacles. Thotc- 

 grapli taken through the water. 



