826 Marvels of the Universe 
be dipped up and transferred to 
a glass of clear sea-water and 
viewed, if possible, with a pocket 
magnifier, and then some insight 
into their wondrous structure and 
beauty will be obtained. Take for 
example the one termed Hormo- 
phora. This is about the size of a 
hazel-nut, clear as if made of glass, 
and of about the consistency of a 
ripe cherry, globose in form, but 
shghtly conical at the upper part. 
From the centre of the base, and 
extending about two-thirds of the 
way up the sides, are eight muscular 
bands which are closely set with 
rows of fringed paddles arranged 
transversely, like the rungs of a 
ladder. These paddles look like 
miniature combs, and hence their 
family name of ‘‘ Comb-bearers.”’ 
From the sides, near the base, pro- 
ceed two long threadlike tentacles 
fringed with little feathery append- 
ages of two patterns—one a simple 
little feather, another long and 
curled. At the upper end, termed 
the “ Oral pole,” is a depression, 
which leads to the mouth, and at 
the base another depression which 
is a sense-organ and which contains 
one or more calcareous bodies 
termed Otoliths. Around this are four 
Photo by] LE. Step, F.L.S. other bodies termed “ balancers,”’ 
DR RO UNG US: the function of which is to enable 
Showing the sheets of felt-like mycelium spreading over the back of ; 
oak pending, Who daik Ganaike asada fo 8 comme of dio orae Woe Mule Greate Ww Ikeqp wWonigint 
PEAT CCE in the water. 
Although these organisms consist of about ninety-eight per cent. of water, yet their faint and 
delicate tissues comprise muscle and nerve, and they seem to evince volition. 
When viewed as I have suggested, it will be seen that from the stomach sac four tubes radiate to 
the surface, but these are not excretory, for, as in the sea-anemones, unassimilated or undigested 
food material is ejected by the mouth. Lower down are two pouches into which the feathery 
tentacles can be instantly withdrawn and stowed away when their owner suffers the least alarm. 
Then there is a series of tubes and vessels that in some way represents a circulatory system ; finally, 
on either side of the vertical bands that support the comb-like paddles are the reproductive glands 
—both male and female in the same individual. One would imagine that creatures so ethereal would 
have no gross appetites, yet the reverse is the case; like things made of coarser clay, they are 
Carnivores, and prey greedily on the little crustaceans and thousands of other things that live at the 
surface of the sea. Anything small enough to be swallowed is considered by them lawful prey. 
