83 



LIFE, IN ITS LOWER FORMS. 



"They are to be sought for in summer and autumn 

 when the weather is warm and dry, and the sea calm and 

 clear. They abound within reach, mostly in the afternoon 

 and toward nightfall, — probably, also, during the night, 

 though not then so near the surface of the water. A 

 small bag of fine muslin, attached to a metal ring, is the 

 best instrument by which to take them, and may be 

 used either as a land-net fixed to the end of a stick or 

 pole, or as a tow-net suspended over the stern of a vessel, 

 when at anchor, or making very gentle way through the 

 water. .... 



" When the tow-net is taken out of the sea it is to be 

 carefully reversed, and its cod tents gently emptied into a 

 basin or glass jar, filled with clear salt-water. It is best 

 to plunge the net beneath the surface when being emptied, 

 as thus the Medusas are enabled to detach themselves 

 from the threads and swim away without injury. When 

 the net is out of the water they appear like little, adhering, 

 shapeless, masses of clear jelly, and exhibit no traces of 

 their elegant form and ornaments. When in the jar or 

 basin they are often, on account of their extreme trans- 

 parency, very difficult to distinguish; but by placing the 

 vessel in the sun or beside a strong artificial light, we see 

 their shadows floating over the sides and bottom of the 

 basin, like the shadows of flitting clouds on a landscape. 

 These soon guide us to the creatures themselves, and before 

 long we distinguish their ocelli and coloured reproductive 

 organs;"* — when they may be lifted into other vessels, — 

 the larger by means of a spoon, the smaller with thumb- 

 tabes, for more close examination. 



*0p. cit., p. 89. 



