ACALEPH/E. 
235 
great number of tentacles, the exterior ones being longest, and also 
*ith small cilia, each terminating in a globule, which sometimes 
C0l dains air ; the interior tentacles are shorter, simple, and fleshy. In 
tile centre of these tentacula is the mouth, in form of a small proboscis, 
leading to a simple stomach surrounded by a somewhat glandular 
"’^stance. The editors of the last edition of the “ Kegne Animal ” 
0t % mention one species— P. gigantea, a native of the Mediterranean 
au d other warm seas, of a beautiful blue colour. Lamarck gives four 
s P e eies. De Blainville and others consider with Cuvier that they are 
° ul y varieties, which Eschselioltz re-unites under one species. In 
1-tig. 91 we have represented P. pacifica (Lesson), the disk of which is 
ti^elve lines in diameter, 
Without coinprehend- 
ln g the tentacles. This 
'lisk ig h ne iy radiated 
°’( the under surface 
' Vl lh a brilliant argen- 
1116 nacre. The mem- 
’ ta "°ns fold which sur- 
it is cut into, 
giving light and per- 
j'Ctiy straight festoons. 
1 is of a clear celestial 
Ue colour, and very 
^parent. The ten- 
,l °les are much com- 
pressed, very thin and 
cyindrical, of a light 
1 tle > and the glands are of an indigo blue colour. All the repro- 
' nctive individuals, which are placed in tho lower part of the body, 
re °f a perfect hyaline white. 
ti'his beautiful Porpita was discovered by Lesson on the Peruvian 
c °ast, where it occurs in swarms closely packed on the surface of the 
“ Its manner of life,” says Lesson, “ is perfectly analogous to that 
0 tiie Yilella. Their locomotion on the sea is purely passive, at least 
a Ppearanee. Their disk laid flat on the surface upon the water-line, 
CilVes them to float freely and in a horizontal direction, the irritable 
l(ls hanging all round them.” 
Fig. 94, Porpita pacifica (Lesson). 
