AGASSIZ. NATURAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
355 
the outer angles of the genital pouches, and between these three simple tubes, arise 
further, from the peripheric edge of the genital pouch, one or two branching radiating 
tubes, the branches of which anastomose with one another. There is less regu¬ 
larity in the ramifications of these tubes, than of those which correspond to the 
angles of the mouth, not only in their mode of ramification, but also in their origin.” 
Where the eight simple canals which supply the margin, at points 
equidistant hut remote from its sensitive bodies, (or, in other words, 
the lateral elements of Professor Agassiz’ interambulacral systems) 
join the circular vessel, Ehrenberg, as naturalists are aware, indicated 
the presence of what he believed to be excretory apertures, and, 
certainly, pellets of rejectamenta may often be met with at these 
parts of the animal. Professor Agassiz denies the existence of the 
openings in question. 
“ The lumen of these simple tubes being somewhat larger than that of the 
adjoining branching tubes, their anastomoses with the marginal tubes constitute 
somewhat wider spaces, iri which occasionally an accumulation of undigested minute 
particles may be observed ; but these are always after a while carried along with the 
circulation, and are brought back to the central cavity in the returning currents, and 
finally rejected through the oral aperture.” 
Interesting particulars are also given as to the minute structure 
of the marginal bodies, the thread-cells, and the disc itself. On all 
these subjects Professor Agassiz has largely availed himself of the 
researches of his able coadjutor, Professor H. J. Clark. 
A second species of Azirelia, A. marginalise has been observed by 
our author on the coasts of the Southern States. It has very large 
genital pouches, and is, absolutely, of greater size than A . flavidula 
“ specimens exceeding one foot in diameter being quite common. 
The genital organs are constantly of a pale rose-coloured tint on both 
sides.” 
b .—The two common stinging jelly-fishes of the British coasts, 
Cyan re a capillata and C. LamarcJcii , are represented along the opposite 
shores of the Atlantic by the nearly allied, if not identical, species C. 
arctica and C. versicolor , respective^. Brief reference is made to a 
third JNTorth American Atlantic species, C.fulva, which differs from 
the two just mentioned, as do these from one another, in geographical 
distribution. 
The detailed notice of Cyancea arctica here given derives its chief 
value from the minute account which it includes of the precise form 
of the disc, and of the various markings observable on its lower sur¬ 
face. In describing these Professor Agassiz falls into just admiration 
of the skilful manner in which they have been represented by his 
artist, Mr. Sonrel. Further observations are yet wanting on those 
first states of the free Cyancea which immediately succeed its hydra- 
tuba condition. Professor Agassiz supposes “ that during the early 
stages of their existence they remain near the bottom of the water, 
as they are very seldom seen floating near the surface.” In this con¬ 
nexion he describes a very young specimen, only half-an-inch in 
diameter, observed by his son in Buzzard’s Bay. 
N. H. R.—1863. 2 B 
