THE D 1 PHYIDJS. 
561 
While resident on the Florida Reef we had opportunity to observe the creatures, and 
often removed specimens to a pail of water for examination. A box with a bottom of window- 
glass, placed on the surface of the sea, renders objects visible with great clearness. Using 
this one day over a Physalia, we observed several small fishes swimming among its long 
curling tentacles. Here was a discovery, and a mystery. How is it that these little fishes 
should be exempt from harm, when it is known that the least touch of the tentacles causes 
instant death to other fishes ? A power resides in the tentacles that these little fishes seem to 
be exceptionally proof against. They are so near the brilliant blue color of the Physalia that 
they seem to be a part of them. One would regard them as a natural accompaniment, so alike 
they are in color, and so completely protected are they from harm. 
Since this discovery of so remarkable an association of animals of diverse habits, many 
others have been made in various parts of the world. The singular power possessed by the 
Physalia in common with many of the corals and jelly-fishes, may well be considered here. 
For a long time, naturally since corals and jelly-fishes have attracted attention of collectors, it 
has been observed that a sharp, unpleasant, stinging effect is produced by contact with these 
forms. Hot until a few years since was this fully understood. We have before us photo- 
graphs taken from the tentacles of the most powerful of these “ stinging” creatures, those 
of the Physalia, just considered. On a light magnifying power the tentacles, the long, curl- 
ing, extensible feelers, exhibit along their surfaces vast numbers of needle-point orifices, 
raised slightly from the surrounding surface. These are called lasso cells , because the little 
cell-shaped swellings contain each a veritable lasso-like, slender, tubular thread coiled up 
within, which is darted out instantly when needed. The interior anatomy of these organs is 
somewhat complicated, but it suffices us to know that the weapon thrown out is barbed, and 
though microscopic, yet penetrates the skin even of fishes, not only causing pain, but, from 
the deadly effects, seems to eject at the same instant a poisonous fluid. We have seen fishes 
swim up to the tentacles of a Physalia boldly, and very quickly turn over and die. At the 
same time, as we have seen, there are little fifties one would suppose equally vulnerable, quite 
at home within the dread portals, moving among and around the poisonous hanging mass. 
The great power existing in the tentacles of the Physalia we may, perhaps, be allowed to 
illustrate by a personal relation. And we may find it proper at this place to say that our 
long residence on the Florida Reef naturally afforded opportunities for many observations of 
habits of marine animals not heretofore made public. In order to render such of the true 
value, we may be pardoned, perhaps, the frequent use of personal pronouns. 
It was a common occurrence after the appearance of myriads of the beautiful Physalias, 
like minature glass ships upon the ocean, that the creatures, having no power to direct their 
course, would, after a considerable disturbance in the ocean, as after a gale, drift ashore in 
great numbers. The moat of the fortress was a point which caught many. 
A lad of our family, indulging with others in a bath at this portion of the moat, inad- 
vertently swam over a Physalia ; its long slimy tentacles adhered to his chest and abdomen, 
and the shock of the millions of poisonous lassos that were thrown into his skin was such as 
to nearly prostrate him. Some soldiers at hand rescued him from the water, otherwise he, 
though an excellent swimmer, would have drowned. For several hours the most vigorous 
treatment of internal stimulants and external topical remedies was necessary, to keep him 
from sinking, with the vital powers wholly overcome. The treatment consisted in rubbing the 
parts with an abundantly strong soapy- water, warm, and the internal use of whiskey. For 
many months the marks of the tentacles were observed on his flesh, appearing like welts left 
after a severe lashing with a whip. 
Our last example of this order belongs to a tolerably large family termed Diphyidse, or 
double animals, because they are formed, as it were, of two animals, one fitting inside the 
other. Their general form is bell-shaped. In the present genus, both animals are similar, 
and of a somewhat pyramidal shape, and have a few points round the aperture. 
The connection between the two portions of the Diphyes seems to be very slight, 
inasmuch as the two halves are often found separated from each other. The progress of the 
Vol. in.— 71. 
