1889.] 
201 
[Fewkes. 
known, only among the Siphonophores, and is limited to one or two 
genera. 
Let us, on the threshold of our study, consider the history of the 
discovery of the structures in which this peculiar power is thought 
to be lodged. 
In the year 1880, while engaged in the study of an Agalma, 
found at Villa Franca, South France, the author noticed on the cov- 
ering-scales, certain colored bodies, which resemble in distribution 
in longitudinal rows, that of the nematocysts which are ordinarily 
found on these structures. In the same year (1880), I described 
and figured these bodies, and called attention to the fact that when 
the covering-scale is broken from its connection with the axis, a 
colored fluid is emitted from these organs. A covering-scale, rup- 
tured from its connection, was seen to pour out a considerable 
quantity of yellow fluid, and to discolor the water in the immediate 
vicinity. When irritated, even while the bract is attached, the ani- 
mal was supposed to discharge the coloring matter in the same way, 
although not in the same quantity. A similar phenomenon, con- 
nected with other organs, had already been described, for a dis- 
charge of coloring matter from the tasters of Forskalia had been 
observed and mentioned by Kolliker, but as far as known, no one 
had spoken of a like power of the chromatic “cells” or glands of the 
covering-scales of any Siplionophore. 
My observations were not verified, or at least were not men- 
tioned, by those who studied the Mediterranean Physophores, up 
to the close of last year, when Dr. M. Bedot 1 again took up the 
subject, and from a study of what he regards a new species of 
Agalma (A. Clausi ), possibly the same as mine, or at least found in 
the same locality, describes and figures these glands again, gener- 
ously quoting my description of eight years ago. His additions to 
our knowledge of the subject is so important that I have taken 
the liberty of quoting from his account somewhat at length. 
Bedot says (p. 79), “ Ce qui donne un aspect particular au 
bouclier, c’est la presence, a sa surface, d’un grand nombre de pe- 
tites taches d’un rouge-carmin fonce(fig. 13 gl). Lorsqu’une de ces 
Agalmes est capturee, elle rejette une quantite tres considerable 
de matiere colorante d’un rouge jaune tres intense. Pour ^observer 
facilement, on est oblige de changer plusieurs fois l’eau du bocal ou 
elle se trouve. Au premier abord, j’ai cru que cette matiere color- 
VTirage a part du Recueil Zoologique, T. 5me., ler fascicule. Sur 1’ Agalma Clausi. 
