ACALEPILE. 
2 - 1 !) 
*^ r - Bennett, who accompanied the exploring expedition under 
ddrnirai Fitzroy as naturahst, ventured to test the powers of the 
. Vaalia. “ On one occasion,” he says, “ I tried the experiment of 
stinging powers upqn myself, intentionally. When I seized it by 
^ U: bladder portion, it raised the long cables by muscular contraction 
of tie hands situated at the base of the feelers, and, entwining the 
Girder appendages about my hand and linger, inflicting severe and 
Peculiarly pungent pain, it adhered most tenaciously at the same time, 
to he extremely difficult of removal. The stinging continued 
so 
as 
'Wffig the whole time that the minutest portion of the tentacula 
Gained adherent to the skin. I soon found that the effects were 
'I' 1 *- confined to the acute pungency inflicted, hut produced a great 
®gree of constitutional irritation : the pain extended upwards along 
le arm, increasing not only in extent but in severity, apparently 
’ Utln g along the course of the absorbents, and could only be compared 
a severe rheumatic attack. The pulse was accelerated, and a feverish 
a ^ e °f the whole system produced : the muscles ot the chest, even, 
Were affected ; the same distressing pain being felt on taking a full 
® s Piration as obtains in a case of acute rheumatism. The secondary 
® ffe cts wore very severe, continuing for nearly three-quarters of an 
the duration being probably longer in consequence of the time 
nd delay occasioned by removing the tentacula from the skin, to 
^ llc b they adhered, by the aid of the stinging capsules, with an 
degree of tenacity. On the whole being removed, the pain 
, to abate ; but during the day a peculiar numbness was felt, 
^’^panied by an increased temperature in the limb on which the 
lll 8 had been inflicted. For some hours afterwards the skin dis- 
, ay °d white elevations or weals on the parts stung similar to those 
n * ^ n g from the poison of the stinging nettle. The intensity of 
of f aUl depends in some degree upon the size and consequent power 
_ the 
tirn e 
to 
tat: 
creature. After it has been removed from the water for some 
the stinging property, although still continuing to act, is found 
. ave perceptibly diminished. I have observed also, that this irri- 
*7 power is retained for some weeks after the death of the animal 
u ,ke vesicles of the cables, and even linen cloth which has been 
^° r off the adhering tentacles, when touched, still retained 
C() e P^geney, although it had not the power of producing such violent 
8 dutional irritation.” 
