THE LASSO - 7 HRO WE RS. 
S3 
with hundreds of clear transparent cells (i, Fig, 20), 
so small that 200 of the largest of them \vi 
side by side in an inch, while many arc not 1. 
than ^^jth of an inch long-, and each of tl 
cells contains a formidable weapon. Within the cell, 
lying bathed in a poisonous fluid, is coiled a I 
delicate thread, barbed at the base (2, 3, Fig. 20), 
and this thread 
may well be call- 
ed a lasso, since 
it is always many, 
and often from 
twenty to forty 
times as long as 
the cell itself, and 
only waits for the 
bag to burst to 
Fig. 20. 
Lasso-cells of the Hydra and Sea-Anemone. 
I. Piece of one of the hydra's aims, showing 
the cells crowded in it. 2. One of the 
3. The same cell after bursting open. 4. I 
cell of an anemone. 
fling itself out to 
its full length. 
Now looking 
at the hydra, Fig. 
19, picture to yourself that each of its delicate 
tl: read-like tentacles is crowded with hundreds of 
these lasso-cells, only waiting the word of a mm 
to discharge their weapons. By and by tl 
worms (a a) come within reach, and rub i 
tentacles, instantly every cell that is I 
open, and with a spring its lasso is set fi i 
shoots out, piercing through the skin 
And now we can see where the 1 
lies. lie has no nerd to Strug V. for his I 
pierced by a number oi dai 
from the cells is pouring into him. A 
