THE LIVING WORLD. 
39 
from the fact that the single parent produces a community which exists only 
when joined into a chain; and, on the other hand, the individual links of this 
chain produce individuals which lead a solitary existence, so that the animal 
represents an “ alternate generation.” 
The Hair Star-fish, or Feathered Star ( Canatula mediterranea ) is found 
in the Mediterranean, and frequently appears clinging to a piece of sea-weed. 
The Discophora {Disc-bearers) , such as Jelly-fish, Sea-nettle, etc., are a 
very numerous, attractive, and under some circumstances troublesome, com¬ 
munity in the waters of the ocean. They seem restricted to no temperature or 
clime. They exhibit the most infinite variation in size, form and color. Many 
of them add to their personal charms the phosphorescence which is so charm¬ 
ing a feature of evenings at the seaside. Their delicate tissues assume all 
imaginable forms, and rival the magic of the kaleidoscope. The arms proceed 
from beneath the umbrella-like disc, and resemble the four posts of some 
grotesque arbor. The mouth, when existing, is placed in the lower wall of 
the disc and is furnished with tentacles. A common species has a multi¬ 
tude of filamentary tentacles which resemble a fringe dropped from the seat 
of a chair; these it entwines about any object 
of contact. As each one of them is endowed 
with the ability to sting, it can make its 
presence felt, and its memory a “possession 
forever.” One species is frequently two feet 
in diameter, and moves about in schools or 
shoals, which oftentimes are sufficient to in¬ 
terfere with the progress of boats ; iridescent 
in the sunlight and phosphorescent in the 
twilight and darkness, their course is a path 
of light. 
The jelly-fish is the glass umbrella of 
the sea, and in place of the handle are numer¬ 
ous delicate filamentary tentacles. By the 
contraction and expansion of the muscular, 
umbrella-like body, the creature makes its way through the water. Its tentacles, 
however, contain a sting and a poison-cell, so that while admiring its beauty 
one must remember the maxim, “Do not touch me.” All animals’ bodies are 
partially water, but the jelly-fish contains only about thirty grains of solid matter 
out of a possible ten pounds of weight. Many a person who has admired the 
beauty of the floating jelly-fish has been surprised to find it almost vanish after 
it had been caught. A story is told of a thrifty farmer who collected loads of 
jelly-fish, thinking to fertilize his land therewith, but found that he had rather 
discovered a new method of salt-water irrigation. 
The Moss Animal ( Cristatella mucede ) has the lower part of its body d isc- 
like, so that it is capable of moving from place to place. It loves the meridian 
time of day, and as it basks in the sunlight has a great resemblance to the 
^pp e Bird’s-Head Coralline {Bugula aviaclaria) is curious, because until 
quite recent times its family was supposed to belong to the vegetable world 
Externally, like the coral insect, it falls into another class when examined with 
reference to structure. Its activity is such as to excite attention m the locali¬ 
ties where it abounds. 
FRESH WATER MOSS ANIMAE. 
(i Cristatella statoblastem.) 
