SEA-BLUBBERS. 
81 
In size, the tribe before us extends through a wide 
range, from that lovely little gem, the Ttirris neglecta, that 
looks like a bead of red coral no larger than a hemp-seed, 
to the massive lihkostoma, which frequently finds its way 
into our southern harbours, the disk of which resembles 
iu 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 formula 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 Medusa:, 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 Nakod-oyed Medusae,” has enu- 
merated forty-three species, arranged in oighteen genera, 
and several more have been added since the publication of 
that work. We shall take the liberty of quoting from it 
a few practical directions for procuring these lovely crea- 
tures, and the more willingly because we have, by personal 
experience, proved their efficacy : — 
p 
