PORTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR: 583 
to accommodate itself to the surface over which it is passing, never bridging 
over even a slight depression, but exactly following all the equalities of the 
ground. It can also pass through a very narrow opening, and does so by 
pushing one ray in front, and then folding the others back so that they may 
afford no obstacle to the passige. It also has an odd habit of pressing the 
points of its rays upon the bottom of tue sea, and raising itself in the middle 
so as to resemble a five-legzed stool, 
ACALEPHA. 
WE now arrive at a large and important class of animals. These beings 
are scientifically termed ACALEPHA, or Netues, a word which my be freely 
rendered as Sea-nettles. The term is appropriate to many of the species 
which compose this large class, for a very great number of the Acalepha are 
possessed of certain poisoned weapons which pierce the skin and irritate the 
nerves as if they were veritable stinging-netties floating about in the sea, 
Popularly, they are known by the familar term Jelly-hshes, because their 
structure is so gelatinous, mostly clear and transpurent, but sometimes sumi- 
opaque or colo ired with most beautiful unts. 
On the nght han t of the ilustration on the following page may be seen a 
remarkbl : creat ire, calle | by the popular name of the SALLEE MAN, some- 
times corrupted, in nautical fashion, into SALLYMAN. In this curious animal 
the body is m2nbrai01s, oval, and very flat, and mav be at once recognized 
by the cartilagino.s crest which rises obtiquely from its upper surface. 
The Velella is very widely distri ute!, and is found in every sea except 
those that are subject to the cold influences of the poles. It seldom ap- 
proaches land, but miy be met in vast numbers, sometimes being crowded 
together in large masses an! of varios sizes. 
The upp2r fig ire represents the celebrated PoRTUGUESE MAN-OF-WAR, 
This bz2a:tiful bit most formidable acaleph is found in all the tropical seas, 
and never fails to attract the attention of those who see it ‘or the first time. 
The general shape of this remarkable being is a bubble-like envelope filled 
with air, upon which is a membranous crest, and which has a number of 
lon« tentac es han:inz from one end. These tentacles can be protruded or 
with lrawn at will, an sometim2s reach a considerable length. They are of 
different shap»s som2 eing short and only measuring a few inches in length, 
while the seven or eight centr | tentacles will exten} to a+ istance of several 
feet. ‘hes: lo1g tentacl s are formidably armed with stinging tentacles, too 
minute to be seen with the nake ! eve, but possessing venomous powers even 
more noxious than those of the common nettle. “It is in these appendages 
alone,” writes Mr. D. Bennett, “that the stinging property of the Physalis 
resides. Every other pirt of the moll:sc may he touched with impunity, 
but the s‘izhtest contact of the hand with the crble produces a sensation as 
painful and nrotrictel as the stinging of nettles: while, like the effect of 
that vezetale poison, the skin of the injured part often presents a white 
e'evation or wheal.” 
The colours of the Phvsalis are always beautiful, and slightly variable, 
hoth in tint and intensity. The delicate pink crest can he elevated or 
depressed at will, and is beautifully trinsparent. grooved vertica ly through- 
out its lenoth. The ceneril hie of its bodv is blue, t king a very dee tint 
at the pointed end, an! fading into softer hues towards the tentaces, A 
gener il iridescence, h -wever, plays over the boty, which seems in certain 
lights to b2 for ve! of texaz, sapphire. or aquamarine. The stort fringes 
are bzauti ul'v colonre!, the inner row being ceep purple, and the outer row 
glowing crimson, as if formed of living carbuncle, 
