SEA-BLUBBERS. 



81 



In size, the tribe before us extends through a wide 

 range, from that lovely little gem, the Turris neglecta, that 

 looks like a bead of red coral no larger than a hemp-seed, 

 to the massive Rhizostoma, which frequently finds its way 

 into our southern harbours, the disk of which resembles 

 in dimensions a lady's parasol. In general, the smaller 

 kinds belong to the Naked-eyed division, the larger to that 

 characterised by Covered eyes. These terms are con- 

 venient formulae to express distinctions, which, while they 

 include the organs of vision, do not rest wholly on them, 

 the characters in question being found associated with 

 others which unitedly indicate the latter as a higher grade 

 of organisation than the former. In the one, the margin 

 of the disk bears wart-like eyes, which are protected by 

 complex folds or veils of membrane ; and this circum- 

 stance is associated with another of great importance, the 

 presence of a much ramified and anastomosing series of 

 vessels. In the other division, the eyes, when present, are 

 of simpler structure, quite naked ; and the vessels are 

 simple canals, usually unbranched, and never anastomos- 

 ing. To the former group, the Covered-eyed Medusas, no 

 more than about ten species are assigned as natives of the 

 British seas ; and these have as yet found no special his- 

 torian. Of the latter, Professor Forbes, in his beautiful 

 " Monograph of the British Naked-eyed Medusae," has enu- 

 merated forty-three species, arranged in eighteen genera, 

 and several more have been added since the publication o p 

 that work. We shall take the liberty of quoting from 

 a few practical directions for procuring these lovely crea- 

 tures, and the more willingly because we have, by personal 

 experience, proved their efficacy , — -\ 



