JET.T.Y-FISHES. 305 



length ; tlie tongue lolling out of the month to a most 

 uncouth distance, and even tlie suspending cord (as I 

 presume to term the attenuated basal portion) reaching 

 far beyond tlie margin ; then, on a sudden, like the 

 tentacles, the tongue is contracted, thrown into 

 wrinkles, curled into curves, and the whole is sheltered 

 within the concavity ; presently, however, to loll out 

 again. 



This proboscis-like organ is called the peduncle, 

 and its office is that of a stomach, of which the knob 

 at the end is the mouth, having a terminal orifice with 

 four minute lips. The flexible substance and rapid 

 motions of this peduncle are suited to enable it to seize 

 small passing animals that constitute its prey ; and I 

 have seen the Sarsia in confinement seize with the 

 mouth, and swallow, a newly-hatched fish, notwith- 

 standing the activity of the latter. Eor hours after- 

 wards, the little green-eyed fry was visible, the engulf- 

 ment being a very slow process ; but the Medusa never 

 let go its hold ; and gradually the tiny fish was sucked 

 into the interior, and passed up the cavity of the pe- 

 duncle, becoming more and more cloudy and indistinct 

 as digestion in the stomach dissolved its tissues. 



The greater portion of the food is by-and-by dis- 

 charged from the mouth, the fluids which have been 

 extracted from it being on the other hand carried up 

 through the base of the peduncle, and distributed 

 along the four radiating vessels, conveying nutrition, 

 supply of waste, and growth to all parts of the 

 system. 



"We may now liberate our little Sarsia, with thanks 

 for the gratification he has aiforded us, to resume his 

 active play among his many companions. Meanwhile 



