JELLY-FISHES. 359 



ti-ansparent inedium of sea water, I placed a Beroe in a 

 weak infusion of saffron. At the end of twenty minutes 

 its colour had undergone a perceptible change. I 

 allowed it, however, to remain immersed for about six 

 or seven hoiu's, when it had assumed a bright yellow 

 hue. It was then placed in pure sea-water, but retained 

 its yellow colour for twenty-four hours afterwards ; and 

 though it gradually became fainter, it was very percep- 

 tible even at the expiration of forty-eight hours." 



I am sure you will pardon my inteiTupting your 

 microscopic gazings for a moment by quoting the fol- 

 lowing charming lines by the Kev. Dr. Drummond, 

 which were elicited by his having watched with pleasure 

 the elegant form and motions of this little creature. 



" Kow o'er the stern the fine-meshed net-bag fling, 



And from the deep the little Beroe bring : 

 ■ Beneath the sun-lit wave she swims concealed " 



By her own brightness ; — only now revealed 



To sage's eye, that gazes with delight 



On things invisible to viilgar sight. 



When first extracted from her native brine, 



Behold a small round mass of gelatine, 



Or frozen dew-drop, void of life or limb : 



But round the crystal goblet let her swim 



"Midst her own element — and lo ! a sphere 



Banded from pole to pole — a diamond clear. 



Shaped as bard's fancy shapes the small balloon 



To bear some sylph or fay beyond the moon. 



From all her bands see lucid fringes play. 



That glance and sparkle in the solar ray 



With iridescent hues. Now round and round 



She wheels and twirls — ^now mounts — ^then sinks profound. 



Now see her, like the belted star of Jove, 



Spin on her axis smooth — as if she strove 



To win applause — a thing of conscious sense, 



Quivering and thrilling with delight intense. 



Long silvery cords she treasures in her sides, 



