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MONOGRAPH
BRITISH NAKED-EYED MEDUS/:
WITH
Figures of all the Species.
EDWARD FORBES, F-.R.S.; L.S.; anp G.S.
PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON ;
AND PALAONTOLOGIST TO THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
LONDON :
PRINTED FOR THE RAY SOCIETY.
MYDCCCXLVIII.
PRINTED BY C. AND J, ADLARD, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.
PREFACE.
Tuis short preface is intended both as an explanatory notice and as a
dedication. Without the aid of my friend Mr. M‘Annrew, the following
Monograph could not have been drawn up. The mass of the materials
employed in its construction was the produce of several delightful scientific
cruises, when I accompanied him in his Yacht, the Osprey. Nine
years ago this history was commenced: were it not for the ardent friend
of science, whose name I wish to associate with my work, as many more
would be required for its completion. Even now, I can offer only an
outline of a most curious and interesting, though neglected, department of
British Zoology. The greater part of the matter in this essay is new. With
one exception—kindly communicated by Mr. Alder—every species has been
examined by myself. Every figure is original. Any defects in the
engravings must be laid to my charge; their merits are due to my friends
Mr. W. Baily, and Mr. C. R. Bone, for whose exertions [ have to return
many thanks.
Epwarp Forses.
London ; June 25, 1848.
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CONTENTS.
Subject of the Work
General Structure of the Naked-eyed Medusze
Muscular System
Nutritive System
Reproductive System
Organs of Sense
Power of Stinging
Phospherescence
Development
Table of Genera
Account oF GENERA AND SPECIES
Enumeration of higher British Discophorz
Classification of Medusze
How to Observe and Preserve them
Bibliographical Appendix
Index of Genera and Species described
19-74
91
103
XIII.
PLATES:
Species of Wriis1a and Crnce.
. Species of Oceania and SapHeEnta.
. Species of Oceania and Turris.
. Species of Sromopracuium and Pontyxenta.*
. Species of Tima and Geryonra.
. Species of StaBBeria and Sarsta.
. Species of Moprrria and Sarsta.
. Species of THAUMANTIAS.
. Species of Geryonorsts and THAUMANTIAS.T
. Species of THAUMANTIAS.
. Species of THAUMANTIAS.
. Species of BovearnvitiEa and Lizzia.
Species of HupHysa and STEENSTRUPIA.
* Tn this plate for Polyxenia cyanostyla, read Polyxenia Alderi.
+ In this plate for Thaumantias eymbaloidea, read Geryonopsis delicatula.
BRITISH NAKED-EYED MEDUSA.
THE creatures which I am about to describe and delineate in the following monograph
are animals of very simple organization and beautiful form. They are members of the lowest
section of the Animal Kingdom, and are intimately allied to the polypes, as we shall see when we
come to consider their classification, which will be best understood after we have examined their
structure. They are mostly minute, often microscopic, though many of their nearest relations,
such as the great stinging Meduse, grow to a considerable bulk. They are active in their
habits, graceful in their motions, gay in their colouring, delicate as the finest membrane,
transparent as the purest crystal. They abound in the sea, but are not equally plentiful at
all seasons. They have the power of emitting light, and when on a summer’s evening the
waves flash fire as they break upon the shore, or glow with myriads of sparks as they curl
and froth around the prow of the moving ship or under the blade of the striking oar, it is to
delicate and almost invisible Medusz that they chiefly owe their phosphorescence.
They belong to that section of Acalephze termed by Eschscholtz Discophore : the upper
portion of the body being formed in the shape of a hemispheric disk. All the Discophorze
may be conveniently arranged in two great groups: the first consists of those which have the
eye-like bodies or oce/li of their margin protected by more or less complicated membranous
hoods or lobed coverings, a character which accompanies one of great importance, viz. their
possession of a much ramified and anastomosing series of vessels. This section I propose to
name Steganopthalmata (sreyavoc, covered).
The second division includes all those which have the ocelli naked, often aborted, and
which possess a very simple vascular system, the circulating canals proceeding to the margin
either altogether unbranched, or if divided, not anastomosing with each other. These I term
the naked-eyed Medusz, or Gymnopthalmata (yupvoc, naked).
It is to the history of the British species of the second division that this monograph is
devoted. The observations embodied in it are the fruit of several years’ research, having
been commenced in the year 1839, and continued every summer, either in the British seas or
abroad, until the autumn of 1846, when an account of them was read, for the first time, at the
Southampton Meeting of the British Association. That year and the previous summer were
2 ACCOUNT OF THEIR STRUCTURE.
by far the most prolific in results; the voyages which I had the pleasure of making with my
friend Mr. M‘Andrew around the British coasts having afforded admirable opportunities for
the study of our Medusee. These creatures are of so very delicate and often unpreservable
a nature, that casual circumstances usually determined the extent to which the examination of
their structure and habits could be pursued, and as most of my observations had necessarily
to be made at sea, those circumstances were not always most favorable. In the present
very unsatisfactory state of this branch of zoology, however, I do not think it necessary to
apologise for unavoidable imperfections, for having often experienced the difficulty of con-
ducting inquiries into tribes of which the species had as yet been but vaguely defined and
rarely figured. I trust this account of an important and beautiful tribe of animals, of which so
far as the British seas are concerned, only a few very fragmentary notices are accessible, may
serve as a basis for future and more extensive researches. They offer a fresh and but little
explored field for discovery. Their organization is but partially understood, and much requires
to be done before the signification of their several parts be fully made out; of their habits
we possess but very slight knowledge. Their development is a subject of the greatest interest,
seeing that upon its clearing up will probably depend the future classification of the zoophytes.
On most of these points I can scarcely pretend to speak; what I offer are the rudiments only
of an extensive subject. It is for naturalists expert in physiological and anatomical investi-
gations, skilled in the use of the microscope, and not too trustful in its revelations, free in
their movements, and with time untrammelled at their disposal, to carry out this most interesting
branch of research, to which, if my imperfect monograph give an impetus, 1 am content—
Quod potui, fect; quod restat suppleat alter
Doctior, et nostris faveat non invidus ausis.
Before commencing a detached description of the species, it is best to examine the
features of organization common to the tribe.
The parts presented by these animals are the following :
A. The disk or umbrella. This forms the greater portion of the animal’s body. It is
hemispheric, but varies from being extremely depressed and almost plane, as in certain species
of Thaumantias and Aiquorea, to a nearly cylindrical form, as in Zurris. One of its commonest
shapes is that of a round glass shade, such as is placed over ornaments or statuettes to
protect them from dust. It is usually smooth, rarely pilose. Its under surface, on which in
certain tribes the reproductive bodies are placed, is called the sub-umbrella. Around its
margin internally there is in many species a projecting ledge of membrane called the vedl
(velum). The margin itself is usually provided with more or less numerous tentacles (eirrz
marginales), of variable structure, the bases of which are often swollen into a bulb, and
deeply coloured or marked with a brilliant spot (oced/us). In the substance of the disk are
the vessels, often conspicuously visible.
B. From the centre of the sub-umbrella hangs a more or less produced proboscis-like
body (pedunculus), of variable form and dimensions. In this is the stomach, and, in certain
genera, the ovaries. At its extremity is the mouth, surrounded by variously-formed contractile
lips, occasionally furnished with produced tentacula.
Such are the characters visible at a glance. A more minute examination makes us
acquainted with the structures they include.
MUSCULAR SYSTEM. 3
Substance —When we examine a naked-eyed Medusz by polarized light, we see that at
least two distinct tissues enter into its composition; these are equally distinguishable by the
naked eye, if the creature be sufficiently large, when we see the one presenting the aspect of
a transparent, and almost always colourless gelatinous membrane, the other a translucent,
and as if granular, substance. The former constitutes the mass of the body; the latter
forms the margin of the mouth, the edge of the umbrella, and the tentacula. The first
is immoveable and uncontractile, elastic, but not extensile; the second is highly contractile
and active. They are both composed of cells, those forming the active tissue differing in being
nucleated cells of the fibrous order, and intermingled with granular corpuscles. The former
are covered with a fine amorphous smooth epidermis, beneath which, in the higher forms and
in the so-called Oceania cruciata—possibly in most species—are cells containing a spiral
thread. Such cells are also present on the surface of the tentacula in many species, exactly
as in the hydroid polypes. Will described the cells beneath the epidermis of Geryonia as
round, transparent, and lobed. A ciliated epithelium has been observed by Will in the inner
surface of the lip-ring in Geryonia, also in the tentacular canals. It lines (as I have seen)
the gastro-vascular canals in Zhawmantias, and probably in all the genera. Several of the
higher Medusze (conspicuously those of the genus Cyan@a) have the power of stinging
severely. The power resides in the skin, and, especially in some of the appendages of the
sub-umbrella, appears to be always connected with the second or granular tissue. Wagner
has attributed it to the filiferous vesicles, which, im some species if not in all, have the
power of projecting the contained thread with its barbed extremity, even as the hydroid
polypes and the Actineze do. But as many Medusz and Actinez provided with these curious
organs do not sting, such explanation is doubtful. I have never found any of the naked-eyed
species to sting.
Muscular System.—The motor tissue in these Medusz is of the simplest kind, and
consists, in most cases, simply of bands of the granular substance just described. In certain
genera, especially in Zwrris, the motor bands exhibit a distinct fibrous arrangement (Plate III,
f. 1, e, and f. 2, 7), and Professor R. Wagner has stated that distinct muscular fibres with
transverse striae are present in the “ Oceania ecruciata” (a Thaumantias?) of the
Mediterranean.* Will has observed a few longitudinal fibres in the motor ring of a
Geryonia. In the higher Medusz the muscular system is much more developed, especially in
Rhizostoma, the movements of which may be shown experimentally to depend on the mus-
cular bands lining the sub-umbrella. I have paralysed one side of a Rhizostoma Aldrovandi,
whose disk measured more than a foot across, by removing with a scalpel the bands of that
half, whilst the other side contracted and expanded as usual, though with more rapidity, as if
the animal was alarmed or suffering. All the Medusz when irritated become much more
rapid in their movements, and contract and expand their disks or bodies in a hurried and
irregular manner, as if endeavouring to escape from their persecutors. In the naked-eyed
species, the muscular system usually consists of a marginal motor ring, the tissue of which is
continuous with the tissue of the marginal tentacula; concentric rings of motor tissue forming
the walls of the tentacles themselves, and a ring of similar tissue forming the margin of the
* Ueber den Bau der Pelagia noctiluca und der organization der Medusen. 1841.
4 NUTRITIVE SYSTEM.
lips. To these there is superadded, in the genus 7urris, longitudinal, highly-developed muscular
bands, running from the base of the peduncle to the marginal band. Whatever be the
arrangement, the movement is the same. The animal swims in an oblique position, con-
tracting and expanding alternately its umbrella; occasionally pausing as if to rest, but capable
of continuing its motions for an indefinite time. The lips can be expanded or contracted as
occasion may require to seize its prey. The tentacles in many species are capable of wonderful
extension, and can be retracted suddenly into a very small compass, often into a mere tubercle ;
but there are many naked-eyed Medusz which vary their tentacles at an almost uniform
length. Each of these organs may be extended or contracted singly, or in concert with its
fellows, evidently obeying promptly the will of the animal of which they form part. They
guide the Medusa through the sea, and can anchor it. I have seen a Geryonia anchor itself
by means of its lips, clasping a coralline with them, and remaining tranquil so fixed for a
considerable time.
Nutritive System.—This consists of a stomachal cavity; excavated in a more or less
produced proboscis, depending from the summit of the sub-umbrella, opening externally by a
more or less expanded mouth, margined by variously-formed contractile lips, and superiorly
communicating with a system of radiating canals, which run to a common marginal canal.
The orifices of these canals probably in every case open into a common cavity or intestinal
reservoir superior to the stomach, though sometimes stated to open directly into the latter.
The true position of the stomach in these animals has been a subject of much dispute, which
is not to be wondered at, considering the extreme variations presented by the central peduncle.
It was indeed for a long time supposed that several of the Discophore had no true mouths,
but absorbed, as if by suckers or roots, their nourishment from without, a view, however,
which all the more recent researches have tended to disprove. By some naturalists, the
cavity above the cavity of the peduncle has been regarded as the stomach, and the latter as a
pharynx, a view which has been partially supported by Milne Edwards. Eschscholtz made
the mistake of supposing the ovaries in the naked-eyed species to be stomachs. Will, and
more recently Frey and Leuckhart, regard the peduncular cavity only as the stomach, a view
which, certainly among the gymnopthalmatous Discophoree, I hold from my own observations,
for I have observed that the process of digestion goes on wholly in that cavity. Its dimen-
sions vary greatly ; among our British forms, it is especially large in Stomobrachium, a genus
which approaches nearly 4’quorea, where it is almost an open space surrounded by a slight
veil of membrane. In Zurris and Oceania, it is also large and well defined. In Wallsia and
Thaumantias, it is campanulate, and occupies the greater part of the peduncle. In Geryonia
and Zima, it is small, in comparison with the peduncle, and confined to its extremity.
In Slabberia, Sarsia, and Steenstrupia, it is tubular, but can assume a bell-shape. In
Bougainvillea and Lizxia, it is a conical cavity, with singularly branched lips. The commu-
nication of the stomach with the gastro-vascular canals is not clearly made out in all the
genera. Will, in his description of Geryonia pellucida, states that at the fundus of the
stomach there are four small obtuse prominences, each of which presents a small aperture,
which is the orifice of one of the water-canals. In another species, the base of the stomach
into which the vessels opened seemed to be separated from the remainder. In Zhaumantias
leucostyla, he found a distinct cavity separated from the stomach at its base, the walls of
VASCULAR SYSTEM. 5
which were lined with vibratile cilia; from this cavity the vessels sprang. In A/quorea,
Milne Edwards describes the canals as opening directly into the large and gaping stomachal
cavity. My own observations accord with those of Will, to the effect that, in most cases
(among the Gymnopthalmata), there is either a well-defined cavity at the base of the stomach
into which the vessels open, or an indication of such a cavity. This I regard as homologous
with the sac so distinctly separated from the digestive tube in the Ciliograda, and into which
the vessels from beneath the rows of cilia open. The superior cavity in both cases may be
regarded as an effort towards a specialization of the respiratory system—a view first suggested
by Will. From it the circulating fluids flow into the gastro-vascular canals, which all run
without dividing, except in the case of Willsia, into a common marginal vessel, cecal
projections of which, in several instances, appear to be prolonged into the marginal tentacula.
Will, however, observes, and I can confirm his remark, that the canals of the tentacles in
Thaumantias do not communicate with the vessels. The walls of the gastro-vascular canals
are ciliated. The fluid within becomes coloured, according to the food taken by the animal.
I have seen it in a Thaumanitias fed upon small crustacea turn completely yellow.
The system of vessels, partly nutritive, partly respiratory, proceeding directly from the
stomach, or from a cavity opening directly into it, may be regarded as a good instance of
phlebenterism. Dr. Will, however, regards it as an aquiferous system, and describes a
circulatory system distinct from it. He asserts that in Geryonia all the water-vessels are
accompanied by blood-vessels, which spring from the sides of the stomach, and proceed to its
base, there to run alongside of the water-vessels. He states that they are distinctly to be
recognised on both sides of the latter, especially when they contract ; then the blood-vessels
remain expanded, and appear much thicker. At the circular marginal water-vessel the blood-
vessel is usually observed only on one side, and that at the lower. Sometimes there appears
a narrow margin, filled with blood-corpuscles at the upper edge. “The contents of the
blood-vessels usually consist of a clear fluid, in which a great number of finely granular
corpuscles, of a diameter from 1-400—1-500”, are floating.” He observed similar blood-
vessels in Thaumantics.
Aware of these observations, and of the accuracy of the observer, I made every endeavour
to satisfy myself on the matter with the species of several genera. But though I sometimes
fancied I saw such vessels, in the end I came to the conclusion that the appearances were
deceptive. No such vessels appear to have been noticed by Wagner or Milne Edwards.
Will described similar vessels distinguished by this red colouring in Beroe. I have seen the
appearances to which he alludes, but could not satisfy myself of their vascular nature. Frey
and Leuckhart, also, with Will’s observations before them, have sought in vain; their remarks
upon this subject are so much to the point that I quote them verbatim: “ Our attention whilst
investigating was likewise directed to this point, but without discovering the characters
mentioned (i. e. by Will). Neither in Cydippe, nor in Geryonia, nor in Cyanea, did we
succeed in discovering particular blood-vessels in addition to the canals of the abdominal
cavity. We may assert, with particular distinctness, that the species (new?) of Geryonia
observed by us is altogether deprived of a peculiar system of blood-vessels, although Will
has recognised such in Geryonia pellucida, described by him, and from which our species
is principally distinguished only by having marginal tentacles of equal length. A result,
6 REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM.
entirely correspondent with ours, was likewise obtained by our respected friend Professor
Bergmann, during numerous observations which he had an opportunity of instituting, during
a residence at Iceland, on many different Medusze. Will himself does not appear to have dis-
covered any particular system of blood-vessels in all Acalephe . . . We believe ourselves justified
in pronouncing an opposite opinion, viz., that no special blood-fluid, or any special vascular
system, exists in many of the Acalephz, except the nourishing fluid contained in the abdominal
cavity. Some Medusz, however, may possess such. This can be the less objected to @ priori,
since we know that the development of the vascular system in the different classes is subject to
very considerable differences. The statements of Will are moreover, in many respects, too
decided, as not to allow us altogether to doubt the correctness of his observations, although it is
the very peculiar behaviour of the blood-vessels, as described by him, which justifies us in
believing in the possibility of an error; in addition to which, we must mention that our own as
well as Bergmann’s observations have furnished quite a different result from those of Will.
Indeed the question can only be decided by new and careful observations.”*
With these judicious remarks I entirely agree, and hope the suggestion of further inquiry
will be taken up by some of our expert microscopical observers, qualified for such an inquiry
by possessing the requisite physiological knowledge, without which microscopical researches
must always, and justly, be received with distrust.
Reproductive System.—The majority of the naked-eyed Medusze have very distinct
reproductive glands. These are placed either on the surface of the sub-umbrella, or on the
inner and upper part of the peduncular cavity. In each case their position has a distinct
relation to the arrangements of the gastro-vascular canals. Instances of the former
arrangement are seen in Stomobrachium, Geryonia, Thaumantias, Circe, and Slabberia ;
of the latter, in Turris, Saphenia, Oceania, and Willsia. They are not so definitely marked
in Sarsia, Steenstrupia, and Modeeria, in which genera the whole of the substance of the walls
of the peduncle seems to be composed of a germ-producing tissue. In Bougainvillia and
Lizzia, the condition of the reproductive glands is intermediate between the two modes just
described. In Huphysa, the ovary appears to depend from the centre of the peduncular cavity.
The organs of generation in these Medusz were long misunderstood. Peron and Lesueur
recognised their true position in most of their “monostomous gastric Meduse,” in which the
genera Oceania and Aiquorea, according to their view of the extent of those groups, were
placed along with Pelagia, and other forms having no true immediate affinity. In the case
of AZquorea, however, they did not recognise the ovaries. In their group of “ agastric
Medusze,” of which Geryonza may be cited, they seem altogether to have misunderstood these
organs. ‘Their importance and meaning were equally lost sight of by Lamarck. Eschscholtz
still further lost the clue to their signification ; for, founding his system upon the supposed
manifestation or obscurity of the reproductive glands, he divided all the Discophore into
Phanerocarpe (exactly equivalent to my Steganopthalmata) and Cryptocarpe, the latter
group including the naked-eyed forms, describing the generative organs in the latter as
stomachs or appendages of the stomach. Cuvier, misled probably by Peron, does not seem to
have clearly comprehended the signification of the parts in this section of the Meduse, though
* Frey and Leuckhart.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. 7
practically versed in the higher group. Blainville recognised the ovaries in Oceanca (following
Peron and Lesueur), but mistook them (following Eschscholtz) for stomachal appendages in
Thaumantias, Geryonia, and allied genera. Lesson, confused throughout, repeats the same
mistake. Ehrenberg recognised their true position in his “ Melicertum campanulatum” (1. e.
Stomobrachium octocostatum) and Oceania pileata. Sars first described them in Taumantias
and Stomobrachium as dilatations of the gastro-vascular canals; but more lately recognised
their true office. Milne Edwards demonstrated their true nature in Aiquorea violacea, and
inferred their office by analogy in all the so-called Cryptocarpe. Brandt appears to have
followed Eschscholtz. Will perfectly comprehended their true nature, and demonstrated their
structure. Frey and Leuckhart take the same view. Indeed, it seems strange that such great
diversity of opinion and so much error should ever have prevailed respecting the position of
the glands of generation in the naked-eyed Medusee, especially when their true nature in the
steganopthalmatous species was recognised by all. '
In Turris, the genus which may be regarded as the highest in organization of the order
under consideration, the ovaries are highly developed, and line the upper part or chamber of
the stomachal cavity in the form of convoluted tubular and fimbriated membranes, conspicuous
from their brilliant colour. Such an arrangement closely approaches that met with im the
Steganopthalmata. In Oceania, a similar arrangement, though not so perfectly made out,
prevails. In Geryonia, Thaumantias, and allied genera, the ovaries are more or less clavate
or leaf-shaped, and are either expanded on the under surface of the sub-umbrella in the course
of the gastro-vascular canals, or depend from it as membranous sacs or laminee, the latter form
being that seen in Stomobrachium and Aiquorea. In Willsia, Bougainvillia, and Lizzia,
they present the appearance of lobes on the sides of the stomach ; but those of the first-named
genus are much more regular and normal than those of the two latter. Their number, when
well defined, may be very considerable (as in A/quorea and Mesonema); but in our British
forms the greatest number is that seen in Stomobrachium and Circe, where there are eight;
next, Willsia, which has six; the remaining genera have four ovaries, each of which, in
several instances, is composed of two equal and similar parts.
Though I have used the word ovaries for these bodies, as if the animals were unisexual,
I have done so only as a convenient form of speech. There is every reason to believe that the
majority of the Medusz are bisexual, though the two sexes appear to be united, but maintained
by distinct organs in certain forms, especially in the higher group. The diccious character
of the naked-eyed forms has been demonstrated by Milne Edwards, Wagner, and Will. The’
first-named naturalist showed that some individuals of Aiquorea violacea were females, having
egos in their generative organs, others on which there were no trace of eggs, but abundance
of spermatozoa, being males.
Will describes the sexual organs of Geryonia pellucida as lying in the course of the
radiating gastro-vascular canals, their further extremities rounded, the inner ends pointed. At
the latter he found ducts of emission which reach the base of the peduncle. Each gland
consists of two lancet-shaped halves; each half is provided with a special duct of emission, so
that there are consequently eight ovaries in the female, and eight testicles in the male, of this
genus. “The ovaries are twisted sacs in which the eggs lie close to each other, the largest
towards the margin of the disc, the smallest towards the peduncle. The perfectly-developed
eges are of a whitish colour, opake, and measure 1-8”; the germinal spot is round and
8 ORGANS OF SENSE.
1-200” in size. The males cannot be distinguished from the females either by shape or size
of the body, or by the form of the sexual glands.” Will fancied these glands had a greenish
glitter in the male, which was not present in the female. “The testicles are likewise twisted
sacs filled with spermatozoa. The latter consist of a thick oblong body, measuring 1-800”
and an extremely slender, long tail, which is only visible during vibration.” Will found at all
times as many males as females.
Organs of Sense.—The lips and their appendages, the marginal tentacula, and the bulbs
at their bases, may be enumerated under this head. The lips and the tentacula are instruments
of touch and prehension, the former chiefly for the purpose of seizing the animal’s prey, and
sometimes, as I have seen in the case of a Geryonia, for anchoring the body. The lips vary
much in form. They are sometimes (as in Circe, most species of Thaumantias, and
Polyxenia) simple lobes ; in other cases (as in Zurris, Geryonia, and Oceania) fimbriated lobes ;
in Bougainvillea and Lizzxia, they are furnished with single or branched tentacular processes,
reminding us of the curious gland-tipped cirrhi, which are so conspicuous in the genus
Cassiopeia among the higher Discophore, and which were long supposed, and are usually
still described to be roots or suckers for the purpose of absorbing nourishment. In Sarsia,
Slabberia, and Steenstrupia, the lip is a simple ring around the orifice of the tubular digestive
cavity. The tentacula in all our British examples of the naked-eyed Meduse, are simple and
usually filiform, though highly contractile, and in some species often reduced almost to a
point. In Slabberia we have an abnormal form of these organs, their termination presenting
the appearance of a bulb. In Luphysa, the single tentacle is clavate and different in structure
from that of any other British genus. In the same curious form all the tentacles except one are
aborted, a remarkable modification seen also in Steenstrupia. In a new species of Geryona,
here figured, alternate tentacles are glanduliferous. In not a few species there are two
varieties of tentacles placed in a single series round the margin, but the majority have the
tentacles only of one kind.
At the base of the marginal tentacula or cirrhithere are present in a great many of these
animals coloured spots or bulbs. In some species (as in 7’haumantias pilosella, Slabberia
halterata, Willsia stellata, Lizxia octo-punctata, &c.) these points are very strongly coloured,
and from their magnitude indicate the course of the animal when in motion, appearing like
a circle of gems in the water. Where some of the tentacula are aborted (as in Steenstrupia
and Huphysa), they are not aborted with these organs, but are all conspicuously developed ;
in many forms only certain tentacles have bulbs at their bases. In other forms, the tentacula
are present and highly developed, but no coloured spots or bulbs are seen at their bases, as in
certain kinds of Geryonta and Circe. When these bulbs are examined under the microscope,
we find their organization more complicated than at first glance it would seem to be. In the
majority of species, perhaps in all, these bulbs, whether conspicuous from colouring or not,
contain a small cavity quite distinct from any coloured spot which may be present. The
former is the ofolitic vesicle, the latter the ocellus.
The ofolitic vesicle, which, from analogy and its peculiar structure, is considered an
organ of hearing, is a small spherical sac developed in the midst of the granular substance of
the bulb, and containmg more or fewer mimute vibrating bodies. Will has described the
otolitic vesicle and its contents in a Geryonia as follows: ‘‘' The auditory vesicles are seated
OCELLI. 9
in the course of the marginal circular vessel in very uncertain number, usually, however, one
at each side of the larger marginal cirrhi, and beside the smaller one, only at one side. They
are round, measuring 1-40th ofa line in diameter, and consist of a tolerably thick membrane :
they contain from one to nine, and even more, round globules. If there is only one, it is situated
exactly in the centre of the vesicle, but if there are several, they are lying together either in
two groups or separately joined to each other at the wall of the vesicle. Their size varies
from 1-300—1-150”. I have never observed them move. Muriatic acid dissolves them, and
causes the vesicle to burst.” In his Taumantias leucostyla, he describes the auditory vesicle
as “measuring 1-60”, and containing globules of the dimensions 1-200”. They are seated
beneath the basis of the marginal fibres on a small projection. They are not present, however,
beneath all the marginal fibres.” Milne Edwards observed, in his Aguorea violacea,* two
hemispheric or oval vesicles on each side of each marginal tubercle, and containmg two or
three spherical corpuscles. Kolliker observed that the otolitic cavities or vesicles in Oceania
(as well as in higher forms) were lined with vibratile cilia, and that the otolites vibrated. Frey
and Leuckhart, whilst they saw the otolites vibrate distinctly in certain Ciliograda, found them
perfectly motionless in Geryonia, even as Will had observed. I have observed the vibration
of the otolites distinctly in more than one species of 7kawmantias; so has my friend Dr.
Melville. I have seen them also vibrating in their cavities at the bases of the tentacles of
more than one species of Oceania, a genus in which they are highly developed.
The ocelli, from analogy, are regarded as rudimentary eyes, or rather light-perceiving
organs. In the gymnopthalmatous Medusz they are very rudimentary, and in most species
consist only of an assemblage of pigment-cells more or less symmetrically disposed. They
vary much in colour, different species of 7haumantias, for instance, presenting purple, orange,
yellow, black, and even variegated ocelli. Yellow, with a red dot, is a common appearance.
This dot indicates a higher or more concentrated condition of the organ. It is especially
defined in Oceania, and in Turris neglecta, forms at the head of the tribe. In Slabberia,
the resemblance of the ocelli to the coloured bulbs which terminate the tentacula is very
striking, but when minutely examined, they are easily distinguished from the latter organs
by the presence of a small black dot. In some forms of Sarsia and in Luphysa we have
curiously particoloured ocelli; also in Willsia, though not so defined. In Lizzea, and
especially in Bougainvillia, we have compound ocelli, formed out of several united, and
variously coloured, either entirely black, or entirely yellow, or piebald, black and yellow, or
yellow and bright red. In Circe, and some other forms, no ocelli can be observed.
That these bodies are the eye-spots, there can be no doubt, when we compare them
with similar bodies in the higher Medusz. In them crystals are present, as was first
pointed out by Gaedé. These crystals were shown by Rosenthal to be silicious, a character
by which they are strikingly distinguished from otolitic crystals, which are always
calcareous.
Though, as we have seen, there are well-marked organs of sense in these animals, the
presence of a nervous system has not been clearly made out. For my part, I have not been
able to satisfy myself as to the existence of either ganglia or nervous filaments in any of the
* Ann. Sc. Nat. (2d Ser.) t. xvi, p. 195.
wo
10 POWER OF STINGING.
naked-eyed Medusz, though I have seen appearances, both in the higher Discophore and in
the Ciliograda, which would induce me to admit their presence in some Acalephe. Will
has observed that in Geryonia there is a small cavity beside the otolitic vesicle, which is
filled with a yellowish-green matter, in which the vesicle itself is bedded to a third of its
circumference, and he considers this a ganglion, whilst he admits it cannot be proved to
be so histologically. I believe I have seen a similar appearance in several species, but
not so constantly as to permit of the assignment of so important an office as the duty of
a nervous ganglion to the tissue. Frey and Leuckhart recognised the same bodies in
Geryonia, but doubt their nervous nature, and remark that the individual masses in
this instance did not seem to be sufficiently distinctly separated from the neighbouring
parenchyma, as to warrant their concluding with certainty that such bodies are peculiar
isolated formations.
Power of Stinging.—In the minds of most people who have been at the sea-side
the notion of a Medusa naturally associates itself with that of a nettle, smce both the animal
and the plant enjoy an equal reputation for their stinging powers, and for the production of
an extremely similar, though not the less unpleasant sensation, when incautiously handled or
inadvertently touched. The term Acalephe, so frequently applied to the whole of the
Medusa tribe, is significant of their nettle-like nature. Yet it is not improbable that this
offensive faculty of stinging is possessed by only a small minority of the sea-jellies—a
minority chiefly, if not wholly, composed of the steganopthalmatous species. Among them
the Cyanea capillata of our seas is a most formidable creature, and the terror of tender-
skinned bathers. With its broad, tawny, festooned, and scalloped disk, often a full foot or
even more across, it flaps its way through the yielding waters, and drags after it a long train
of riband-like arms, and seemingly interminable tails, marking its course when the body is far
away from us. Once tangled in its trailing “hair,” the unfortunate who has recklessly
ventured across the graceful monster’s path, too soon writhes in prickly torture. Every
struggle but binds the poisonous threads more firmly round his body, and then there is no
escape ; for when the winder of the fatal net finds his course impeded by the terrified human
wrestling in its coils, he, seeking no combat with the mightier biped, casts loose his enve-
nomed arms and swims away. The amputated weapons severed from their parent body vent
vengeance on the cause of their destruction, and sting as fiercely as if their original proprietor
itself gave the word of attack. The Cyanea Lamarckii possesses a like dangerous power,
and Pelagia cyanella also, though very faintly, as I have experienced. But, unless Chrysaora
hysoscella sting, no other Meduse of our seas besides those mentioned, have been observed, at
least by me, or naturalists known to me, to possess this noxious property. I have in vain
endeavoured to elicit such nettling proofs of rage in any of the naked-eyed species, though I
have stirred, and grasped, and rubbed together hundreds of them belonging to many genera.
It is right, however, to notice this matter, for it may yet be found that either at particular
seasons, or under peculiar circumstances, more than one species can sting. Dicquemare has
stated that certain species of Oceania sting, though very slightly, and only when they come
in contact with very sensitive parts, such as the eyes. Not being ambitious of suffering
stone-blindness by playing too closely with even the smallest gorgon’s head, I have never
ventured to repeat the worthy Abbé’s experiment, and prefer keeping my eyes intact to
PHOSPHORESCENCE. ll
poking Medusze into them. For such rash experiments, Ben Jonson’s song might be
paraphrased—
© O do not wanton with those eyes,
Lest you be sick with seeing,”
—and not bad advice either.
In such Meduse as do sting, the power has been believed by Dicquemare, Eysenhardt,
and others who have practically looked to the subject, to reside in a mucus which can be
thrown off by the animal. Certainly such mucus, as I have often experienced, retains its
urticating properties for some time after being detached from its producer. If the view which
has been of late mentioned, that the filiferous capsules with their barbed projectiles are the
causes of the stinging sensation, the power of the mucus to sting does not contradict it, for
usually in it numbers of filiferous capsules may be perceived under the microscope.
Phosphorescence.—Whatever doubt there may be about the stinging faculty of the
naked-eyed sea-jellies, there can be none about their capability of emitting light in the dark.
This wondrous power, possessed by comparatively few inhabitants of the air, is a gift bestowed
on many of the dwellers in the waters, and is especially possessed by creatures of the order
Radiata, as if, to use a fanciful analogy, their star-hke forms had given them star-like
properties. The true polypes exhibit the phenomenon of phosphorescence in great perfection,
but as the majority of them are fixed, at least in their supposed most perfect condition, they
can play but little part in producing the luminosity in the sea, as seen by ordinary observers.
Many annelides and other articulata are phosphorescent, and even starfishes of the Ophiura
tribe, as has recently been shown by Quatrefages, but for similar reasons they are not likely
to be chief producers of the light. It is mainly by the Arachnodermata and minute animals
closely allied to them that the waves at night are—
«Spangled with phosphoric fire
As though the lightnings there had spent their shafts,
And left the fragments glittering im the field.”*
The phenomenon of the luminosity of the sea was known to be produced by Medusze
as long ago as the time of Pliny,t and has attracted much attention in connexion with the
more ordinary species of Acalephze ever since. The first cbservations of importance on this
subject in modern times were those of the accurate Forskal, who described the phospho-
rescence of the Pelagia and A’quorea, observed by him during his voyage to Egypt, in 1762.
Since his time many voyagers and travelling naturalists, including Banks, Humboldt, Chamisso,
Peron, Lesueur, Spix, Mertens, and Baird, have published valuable observations on this
interesting subject. On our own coasts, attention has been called to the subject, more
especially by Macculloch and Macartney. The valuable observations of Suriray in France
were chiefly confined to some minute animals allied to Medusz. In Germany, Tilesius and,
above all, Ehrenberg have published important and original essays on this subject; and in
Italy, the experiments of the indefatigable Spallanzani still furnish some of our best modern
data. Many more authors might be cited who have treated the matter in greater or less detail,
* James Montgomery, Pelican Island. Canto I.
+ Hist. Nat., lib. xxxu, c. 10.
12 PHOSPHORESCENCE.
and those of our readers who may wish for fuller information on the general question, would
do well to consult the excellent essay of Brandt, in the ‘Transactions of the Imperial Academy
of St. Petersburgh’ for 1838, and the article ‘“‘ Luminous Animals,” in Dr. Todd’s ‘ Cyclopzedia
of Anatomy, by Dr. Coldstream, a gentleman well versed in such inquiries. Several very
interesting observations on the phosphorescence of the Ci/ograda* have also been published
by authors, both British and foreign; but these are foreign to my subject at present, as I -
wish to confine the discussion mainly to the naked-eyed Medusze, and intend on a future
opportunity to treat of the Beroe tribe in full, having accumulated abundant new materials
for an essay on the British Cilograda.
Most of the accounts of the phosphorescence of Medusze have reference to the higher or
steganopthalmatous species only; nevertheless, at an early period the light given out by naked-
eyed species attracted attention, for we find in the middle of the last century the phospho-
rescence of one of them (‘“ Medusa microscopica”—probably a young state of the Saphenia
dinema of modern authors) attracted the attention of the observant Slabber. Previously, the
phosphorescence of “ Medusa equorea” (Aiquorea Forskalina, Lamarck) was noticed by
Forskal: “Rasa ligno, parum adeo in tenebris splendet.”+ Peron and Lesueur afterwards
mentioned their Aquorea phosphorifera as possessing the luminous power. Tilesius observed
it in Charybdea marsupialis ; Rathke, in his “ Oceania Blumenbachit.”t Macartney announced
the Thaumantias hemispherica to be an active cause of the luminosity of the sea on our own
coasts, and detailed some interesting experiments which I shall presently have to cite. Among
the twenty phosphorescent Medusze mentioned by Macculloch, it is probable that several were
species of this division. One of the forms figured by Baird as a cause of phosphorescence in
tropical seas§ appears to be a Sarsia. Ehrenberg observed this phenomenon in Oceania
pileata, “ Melicertum campanulatum” (Stomobrachium octocostatum), “ Oceania micro-
scopica,’ and Thaumantias lenticula and hemispheriea.||
The British naked-eyed Medusz in which I have observed phosphorescence are species
of Turris, Oceania, Dianea, and Thaumantias. In no case have I seen it continuous or
constant in any one species. In every mstance the light has been given out only under
circumstances of irritation, and not always even then. Thus, on the 27th of July, 1845, when
in the Zetland Islands with Mr. M‘Andrew, we collected myriads of small Medusze, and
placing great numbers in a basin of sea-water, irritated them by many annoying devices,
but though the vessels were charged with individuals of Zhaumantias, Steenstrupia,
and Lizxia, active and in good health, no light was given out; nor could this arise from any
peculiarity of conditions in the vessel or contained water, for individuals of the ciliograde
Mnemia norvegica (Bolina hibernica of Patterson) gave out flashes of vivid bluish light, so
as at times to illuminate the whole vessel. This experiment was often repeated with the
same result, though at the same season in the following year, the not giving out light was the
* The essays of Mr. Robert Patterson, in the ‘ Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,’ should
especially be consulted. I may here mention that such members of the Ray Society as have not
attended much previously to the subject of this essay, could not prepare themselves better for a prac-
tical study of it, than by consulting the admirable little ‘ Zoology for Schools,’ by the valued friend just
mentioned.
+ Fauna Arabica, p. 110. { Philosophical Transactions, 1810.
§ Loudon’s Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. iii, 1830. || Berlin Transactions, 1832.
PHOSPHORESCENCE. 13
exception, and not the rule with similar Medusz, on the coast of Cornwall. Spallanzani
fancied that the higher Medusa, Pelagia phosphorea, always emits light more or less, but his
own experiments go far to disprove the notion. My friend and countryman Dr. I. Heywood
Thompson, R.N., has, during his voyages on the western coast of Africa, and elsewhere in
tropical and in southern seas, paid careful attention to the phenomenon of phosphorescence of
the sea, and has never observed it, when the product of animal life, to occur, except under
circumstances of irritation.*
Macartney narrates the followmg experiments, instituted on a species of Thaumantias,
with the view of ascertaining the effects of various irritating conditions :—
“1. Some hemispherical Medusz were put into a spoon, containing a small quantity of
sea-water, and held over a burning candle. As soon as the water became heated,
the Medusz appeared like illuminated wheels, the spots at the margin and centre
alone emitting light, in which manner they shone vividly and permanently for about
20 seconds, when they shrunk and died, after which they were no longer luminous.
«2. Some of the same species were put into spirits: a strong and unremitting light was
instantly given out, which issued from the central and marginal parts, as in the
preceding experiment, and continued until they died.
«3. Some of the scintillating and hemispherical species of Medusz, contained in a small
glass jar, were introduced into the receiver of an air-pump, and the air being
exhausted, they shone as usual when shaken ; if any difference could be perceived,
the light was more easily excited, and continued longer in vacuum.
“4. A Medusa hemispherica was placed in a small glass dish, containing a quantity of
water, merely sufficient to allow the animal to preserve its figure ; being insulated,
it was electrified and sparks drawn from it, which had not the slightest effect; the
experiment was repeated several times with different individuals, but without exciting
the animals to throw out light.
“5. Some hemispherical Medusze were placed in contact with the two ends of an
interrupted chain, and slight electric shocks passed through them. During the very
moment of their receiving the shock no light was visible, but immediately
afterwards the Medusz shone like illuminated wheels, which appearance remained
for some seconds. Upon the closest inspection with a magnifying glass, no motion
could be perceived to accompany the exhibition of light. The application of
electricity in this instance seems to have acted as a strong mechanic shock.”
Ehrenberg placed the same species in spirits, with a view to observe the effect, and found
the phosphorescence brilliantly revived when it had ceased to be exhibited by ordinary modes
of irritation.
Spallanzani had, previous to either, instituted similar experiments with those described
by Macartney, but on one of the higher Meduse, the Pelagia only. He found raising the
temperature revive the phosphorescence, when it had otherwise ceased to appear.
I have found the sudden plunging of T’haumantias into fresh water or spirits call forth
the dormant phosphorescence suddenly, and with extreme vividness. It gradually fades away
* His notes will appear in the account of the Niger Expedition by Capt. Allen and Dr. Thompson.
+ Phil. Trans., 1810.
14. DEVELOPMENT.
as life departs. The same phenomenon is exhibited by the hydroid, helianthoid, and asteroid
polypes. Ifa bunch of one of the bushy corallines, such as Sertudaria abietina, be plunged
when alive and active into fresh water or spirits, a gorgeous display of living stars is instan-
taneously produced. So also with Pennatula phosphorea.*
The light of the Medusze, as Spallanzani observed, is not given out by all parts of the
body indifferently, but only by certain structures. Spallanzani states that when he cut off
the margins of the Pelagia phosphorea to a depth of from 5 to 6”, the border continues to
shine, which is not the case with the disk, and he attributes the phenomenon to the produc-
tion of a phosphorizing mucus by the light-producing parts. | Ehrenberg regards the light as
an act of organic life. He observes that ‘‘ the active organic phosphorescence appears
frequently periodically, produced either spontaneously, or by excitement, frequently as
rapidly produced sparks, resembling small electric discharges. This repeated sparkling
converts a mucous, gelatinous fluid, which is discharged more abundantly during the operation,
into a secondary state of phosphorescence, which continues for a time, even after the death of
the organism, or after the severing of its parts.” He considers the mucus enveloping the
ovaries as particularly susceptible, when in a fresh state, to this imparted phosphorescence.
In Oceania pileata he observed the light emanate from the locality of the ovaries, which,
being pendant in the centre of the sub-umbrella, illuminated the animal as an argand lamp
illuminates its glass shade. In Zhaumantias hemispherica he observed the light to be given
out by the bulbous bases of the tentacula, which formed a garland of sparks of fire around
the circumference of the umbrella. Macartney had previously noticed, as we have seen, that
in this naked-eyed species, the light was given out from the same spots, and, he adds, from
the centre also. I have observed that in Thawmantias lucida the light was invariably given
out by the bulbs of the tentacles, and so also in other species of the same genus. In the
Dianea appendiculata, which is a beautifully luminous species, the phosphorescence is of a
greenish hue, and appears to radiate from the reproductive glands. In the Mediterranean I
have seen a large Mesonema give out rich flashes of flame from the bases of its numerous
marginal tentacles. Both Spallanzani and Tilesius have noticed that the light in the higher
Meduse shone most vividly during the contractions of the umbrella.
Taking one fact with another, it would seem that the phosphorescence in the naked-eyed
Medusz is developed by the reproductive and motor systems: how, we cannot say.
Ehrenberg has concluded that the production of the light is ‘a periodical vital act dependent
on the nervous system, and similar to the development of electricity.” But this can only be
regarded as an hypothesis. We have no clear evidence yet of the presence of a nervous
system in these animals.
Development.—When treating of the reproductive organs of these animals, I discussed
the ovarian and spermatic glands; but the naked-eyed Medusze do not reproduce their
species only in the normal fashion, i. e. by fecundated eges ; several of them are now known
to multiply their kind by gemmation, little ones springing out almost ready made from the
substance of their parents, as Minerva budded on the creative brain of Jupiter. This mode
t * See a notice of the phenomena exhibited by this zoophyte when phosphorescing, in the second
edition of Dr. Johnston’s British Zoophytes.
DEVELOPMENT. 15
of propagation by gemmation was long supposed among Radiata to be an especial privilege
and distinction of the true zoophyte; but the march of discovery and the revolutions of
science, do away with such artificial distinctions, though the recognition of them in their time
gave no small impulse to the onward progress which was eventually to destroy them. The
discoveries of Sars, Dalyell, Loven, Wagner, Van Beneden, Dujardin, and Steenstrup have
changed the face of this section of creation seriously, and prophetically indicate many coming
changes. It is the duty of the philosophical zoologist to keep pace with the railroad speed
of modern research, and whilst conservative of all past statements, as yet insufliciently
combated, never to hesitate to cast away preconceived notions and old teachings the moment
they are clearly shown to be untrue. “Free and unprejudiced spirits will neither antiquate
truth for the oldnesse of the notion, nor slight her for looking young, or bearing the face of
novelty.”*
The polypes of the genus Coryne and its allies, of Zubularia and Eudendrium, and of
the beautiful Corymorpha, send forth at certain times bud-like bodies, more or less sym-
metrically arranged around their heads. These bodies have long been recognised as
young animals, though not until very recently was it known that the creatures so produced
bear no resemblance to their parents, but were indeed true Medusz, and not polypes, which,
however, in their turn produced eggs capable of producing polypes. Such appears to be the
true interpretation of the phenomenon—a part of the justly celebrated theory of alternation of
generations which has originated in the imaginative mind of Steenstrup. On the bearing of
such discoveries on the better classification of the Radiata, I shall have to make a few remarks
presently. Now, among the dcalephe, no such reproduction by gemmation in the manner
of the Coryne was known until discovered in 1836 by Sars, who had previously been the
first to announce the surprising fact of the intermediate S¢robi/a condition of the higher
Medusz, a discovery made independently and simultaneously in Scotland by Sir John Graham
Dalyell.
The discovery made by Sars was that certain forms of naked-eyed Meduse multiply
their species by means of gemmation, the buds being produced either from the walls of the
peduncle or stomachal proboscis, or from the surface of the ovaries, the former mode occurring
in the “ Cyt@is octopunctata’ (Lizzia octopunctata, Mihi), the latter in Thauwmantias multi-
cirrata. In both cases, the new individuals were not different from, but similar to, their
parents, and, in one instance, provision seemed to be already made in the new-formed individuals
for continuing to propagate by the same mode other individuals similar to itself. The full
account of these remarkable and highly important observations, illustrated by excellent figures,
is contained in the lately published ‘ Fauna Norvegica,’ a most admirable work, by one of the
greatest of living investigators of life in the sea. I shall extract it hereafter when describing
the Lizzza, in the second part of this essay. At present I shall cite the summing up given by
Sars, and his notice of the phenomenon as it occurs in the 7haumantias.
“We now recognise a mode of procreation and development hitherto unknown among the
Acalephe. From a certain part of the body (in this instance the tubular stomach, hanging
independently in the cavity of the disk) roundish knobs grow forth from the upper towards
the lower part, which gradually assume the shape of a bell, by opening themselves at the free
* Henry More.
16 DEVELOPMENT.
end; on the margin of these openings dark granules (marginal granules) make their appearance,
being the nuclei or first beginnings of the marginal fibres, which latter gradually grow forth,
and the stomach exhibits itself at the base of the cavity of the bell-formed disk, together
with the mouth and mouth-tentacle ; from the stomach vessels radiate towards the margin of
the disk ;—in short, the young Acalephis, being merely attached to the mother by means of
a short peduncle issuing from the back of the disk, develops itself in all essential organs,
whilst it is still attached to the mother like the bud of a plant. Finally, after a certain
expiration of time, it severs itself from the mother, and now swims about as an independent
individual.
“T likewise found quite the same mode of perpetuation, on the 9th of May, 1837, in
Thaumantias multicirrata, in an Acalephis of more than one inch in diameter. In the
four narrow, folded together, so-called ovaries that issue from the stomach, and extend along
the margin of the disk, there were blossoming forth, even as described in Cytzis, some
globular bell-shaped gemmules (I observed from five to six towards the external extremity of
the ovarium), the smallest of them furnished with four, the largest with eight black marginal
granules, and short marginal fibres growing forth from the former. Perpetuation by means
of prolification has hitherto been chiefly observed among the polypes, in which indeed it is the
prevalent mode, but it was latterly also observed among the Infusoria (Vorticelles), the Tunicata
(the compound Ascidians), and, lastly, also in some of the Annelides (the Nazdes and Syllis
prolifera, to which I may add the Filograna implexa). We now likewise recognise this
mode of perpetuation in an animal which will undoubtedly be declared by all classifiers to be
an Acalephis, against the assertion of Ehrenberg, that ‘a bud-bearing or self-dividing
Acalephis is a contradictio in adjecto. Thus are our speculations and inferences not
unfrequently frustrated by a boundless and ever-varying nature.”
I am not aware of any naturalists having confirmed the observations of Sars. With very
great pleasure, therefore, am I able not only to bear out, by personal observation, the remark-
able statements of the Norwegian naturalist with respect to the species he mentions, but also
to extend them to other species and other genera.
I have observed four modes of propagation by gemmation among the naked-eyed
Medusze. 1st. Gemmation from the ovaries, as noticed by Sars in 7haumantias multicirrata,
and which I have seen, though not in an advanced stage, inmy Thaumantias lucida, a nearly
allied species. 2d. Gemmation sub-symmetrically from the peduncular stomach, as described
by Sars in his account of Lixxzza octopunctata. This I have seen in all its stages, exactly as
he narrates, in the same species, a very abundant animal in the Zetland seas. I call it sub-
symmetrical gemmation, for whilst the four gemme are symmetrically arranged around the
peduncle, one of them is constantly in a more advanced condition of development than the
other three. This appears to be a generic habit, for I find the same phenomenon in Lixzia
blondina, a new and very distinct species of the same genus, in which gemmiparous repro-
duction is equally conspicuous. 3d. Gemmation irregularly from the walls of a tubular
proboscis. This I have discovered in a new Sarsia, which I have named Sarsia prolifera.
From the sides of the long peduncle many gemmules are seen springing in all states of develop-
ment, and presenting an indistinct spiral arrangement. There is no order of development
with respect to position, individuals variously advanced springing indifferently from various
parts of the peduncle. [See the account of the species in the Second Part.] The fourth mode of
GENERA. 17
gemmation, and a very remarkable and quite novel one, I have discovered in another form of
Sarsia, taken abundantly in 1836 on the coast of Cornwall, and named by me Sarsia prolifera.
In this extraordinary animal the buds are produced at the bases or tubercles of the four marginal
tentacles, and hang from them in bunches, like grapes. The degree of development is not
equal in all four bunches, and in each case buds are seen in very various stages of develop-
ment, from embryo wart-like sproutings to miniature Medusze, simulating in their essential
characters the parent animal. [See figures and description of Sarsia prolifera in the synopsis
of the species. |
I look upon this last discovery as very important in its bearing on the history of this
phenomenon of gemmation among these creatures, seeing that in the case under consideration the
seat of reproduction is not in the peduncle, where in Sarsza the true ovaries might be supposed
to be seated, since they are not manifest elsewhere, but in a portion of the animal quite apart.
It would appear, indeed, that gemmation can occur anywhere in the course of the granular
motor tissue, or from the true ovaries, but not from other than the motor, and especially
reproductive, tissues. The power of the motor tissue to produce germs occurs also in other
orders of Medusze: for I have seen the same phenomenon in the Beroe. When treating of
the phosphorescence of the naked-eyed Medusee, we have seen that that phenomenon was
exhibited either by the ovaries, or centre (peduncle) or bases of the tentacles and rim; all, as
I have just proved, seats of reproductive power. This goes far to connect that phenomenon
with the generative functions.
The development of the ovum in the naked-eyed Medusze has still to be observed. Not
until the phenomena attending it have been made known, can we hope to ascertain the history
of the metamorphoses which they possibly, indeed most probably, undergo before arriving at
the state in which we usually find them.
The preceding outline of the structure and physiology of the naked-eyed Meduse, so far
as known, will enable the reader to understand the detailed account of our British genera and
species, which I shall now proceed to give, reserving remarks on their zoological affinities as
a group, for a review of the subject at the conclusion of the synopsis, when we shall have
the necessary evidence before us.
There are forty-three species of Gymnopthalmatous Pulmograda known to the author
as inhabiting the British seas. The greater number of these are undescribed forms. They
may all be arranged under eighteen Genera, grouped together as in the following table :
I. Vessels branched. (WILLSIADZ.)
1. Willsia.
II. Vessels simple; ovaries convoluted, and lining the pedunculated stomach.
(OCEANID@.)
2. Turris.
3. Saphenia.
4. Oceania.
III. Vessels simple, eight or more; ovaries linear, in the course of the vessels on the
sub-umbrella. (AJ@UOREAD®.)
5. Stomobrachium.
6. Polyxenia.
18
GENERA.
IV. Vessels simple, eight ; ovaries as many as the vessels, small, on the course of the
sub-umbrella. (CIRCEAD#.)
7. Circe.
V. Vessels simple, four; ovaries four, in the course of the vessels on the sub-umbrella.
(GERYONIADZ.)
8. Geryonia.
9. Tima.
10. Geryonopsis.
11. Thaumantias.
12. Slabberia.
VI. Vessels simple, four; ovaries in the substance of the peduncle. (SARSIAD#&.)
13. Sarsia.
14. Bougainvillea.
15. Lizsva.
16. Modeeria.
17. Euphysa.
18. Steenstrupiu.
WILLSIADA.
Genus I. Wiss, Forbes (1846).
Cuar. Gen. Umbrella globose; ovaries six, radiating around the base of the
short, campanulate, four-lipped stomach; vessels six, twice dichotomously dividing
before they reach the marginal vessel; a marginal tentacle opposite each branch :
ocelli conspicuous.
Willsia stellata, Forbes.
(Plate I, Fig. 1.)
I have constituted this genus for one of the most elegant of our naked-eyed Meduse,
strikingly distinct in its characters from all recorded forms, and quite new. I have dedicated
it to my friend Dr. Will, of Erlangen, whose work on the ‘Medusze of the Adriatic, already
often quoted, is one of the most valuable and original contributions to this department of
zoology ever printed.
This beautiful little creature is, when full grown, about a quarter of an inch in diameter.
The umbrella is nearly globular, quite smooth, and colourless. The sub-umbrella is small in
comparison, and hemispheric, or slightly cylindrical in form. The margin bears twenty-four
extensile, pale yellowish tentacula, of a minutely granular tissue, and moniliform structure.
At the base of each is a bulb or ocellus, of a deep purple red and tawny yellow colour, the
darker hues being disposed in an arrangement partly crescentic, and partly eye-like. When
highly magnified, the coloured parts are seen to include a cavity containing a central body,
which, though not observed to vibrate, is probably the homologue of an otolitic mass. Some
specimens were observed which had only twenty tentacula.
The central peduncle, or stomach, is campanulate, and opens widely by four scarcely
undulated lips.* _ Sometimes the orifice presents a six-lipped appearance, and it is very pro-
bable that it may contract itself indifferently into four or six divisions. Around the base of
the stomach, partly attached to its side, and partly to the sub-umbrella, are the six double
ovaries, or reproductive bodies, each of an oblong, somewhat spoke-like shape, and coloured
of a tawny yellow. The colour is due to two fulvous masses on each side the gastro-vascular
canal, one of which traverses the centre of each ovary. The fulvous masses are bordered by a
* In the figure there is an appearance as if of a fifth lip, which is a mistake.
20 WILLSIA STELLATA.
nearly colourless margin. The six ovaries together form a beautiful star around the base of
the stomach. Each gastro-vascular canal runs without dividing through the corresponding
ovary, but when it reaches half way down the sub-umbrella, it divides into two, and at a
fourth of the distance between the margin and the centre, each branch again divides into two,
which is the final division, for these last two branches run directly into the marginal canal,
each opposite the origin of a tentacula.
The Willsia stellata was first observed by Mr. M‘Andrew and myself, in September,
1845, in the Bay of Oban. Many specimens occurred, and its appearance in the vessel of sea-
water, was very striking, the star-like ovaries conspicuously distinguishing it from Medusze
of other genera. It is so transparent, that usually only the reproductive star and the mar-
ginal circle of brilliant ocelli—like a mimic sun with its surrounding planets—could be
perceived by the naked eye. When placed in a watch-glass, however, the singular arrange-
ment of its vessels, and the other details of its structure, may easily be made out without the
use of a high magnifying power.
In August, 1836, when visiting Penzance Bay, we took great numbers of the same
species, so that it would appear to be rather widely distributed. It was not observed at
Zetland, nor further west than the Lizard on the south coast of England.
In the Plate, fig. 1 represents the natural size; 1, a, a magnified view as seen from the
side; 1, b, the creature seen from above; 1, c, the mode of division of one of the gastro-
vascular trunks; 1,d, an ovary; and 1, e, a tentacle, both greatly magnified.
OCEANID.
Genus II. Turris, Lesson (1837).
Conts, Brandt (1838). ?
Umbrella sub-cylindrical or mitrate; ovaries four, double, dense, convoluted,
lining the cavity of the peduncle; vessels simple; margin of the umbrella with
numerous tentacula ; muscles of the disk conspicuous and highly developed ; mouth
of the peduncle fimbriated.
This well-marked genus was constituted by Lesson for three species of naked-eyed
Meduse, having an organization which seemed to indicate a high position in their order,
though not so high as the founder of the generic group would seem to place it. It forms part
of the tribe Nucleifere in the arrangement of Lesson, where it is strangely associated with
Pandea, Circe, and Bougainvillea. The high development of the muscular system in the
species of Zurris, indicate their superiority to the Oceanie proper, which otherwise they
closely resemble. The only species known besides the following, is the Zurris papua of the
author cited, who discovered it near the island of Waigiou.
The 7. papua has only eight tentacles, whilst our native species are remarkable for the
number of those organs frmging their margin. This variation in number of tentacles seems
a good source of specific distinction in the genus.
1. Turris digitalis (sp.), Miller.
Plate III, Fig. 1.
Synonyms. Medusa digitale. O.¥. Muller, Prod. Z. D., p. 233, No. 2824 (1766).
O. Fabricius, Fauna Groenlandica, p. 366 (1780).
Melicerta digitale. Peron, Ann. du Mus., t. xiv, p. 352 (1809).
Dianea digitale. amarck, Ann. Sans. Vert. (1817).
Evrene digitale. Eschscholtz, Syst., p. 95 (1829).
Turris borealis. Lesson, Prod. (1837), and Hist., p. 284 (1843).
This beautiful species is an inhabitant of the northern seas. It was observed on the
coast of Greenland by Otho Fabricius, who, in his ‘Fauna Groenlandica, one of the most
remarkable zoological works of the last century, has given a short but expressive description
of it. ‘“ Hzec omnium minima digitale tam figura, quam magnitudine refert. Corpus conicum
hyalinum, vix in aqua observaretur, si non motu ejus margo coloratus in conspectum veniret.
Strize multze vix notabiles longitudinaliter in verticem concurrunt. Margo ciliatus est ciliis
wo
ca)
TURRIS DIGITALIS.
intus hamatis flavis cum albis mixtis. In cavitate infera, que profunda, pistillum apice, ut
videtur penicillato dependet, in aliis album, in aliis penicillo flavo. Habitat in mari ad oras
exteriores. Est vivida satis; margine flexo in aqua salit.”
This account of its characters and habit seems to have furnished all subsequent authors
with the brief notices which they give of the species, indeed it is doubtful whether it has
been examined by any since the days of the author of the ‘Fauna Groenlandica.’ Miller probably
intended to give a representation of it in his invaluable ‘ Fauna Danica,’ but, as it is, we have
no figure extant.
When enjoying a delightful cruise with my friend Mr. Smith, of Jordanhill, in his yacht
the Amethyst, during the summer of 1839, I paid particular attention to the Meduse of the
Clyde, and laid the foundation of the present monograph. Not so well versed then, as now,
in the art of securing these fragile and floating creatures, it was a source of not unfrequent
vexation to behold many of them, either apparently new or doubtful, pass by our vessel beyond
our reach, or when we endeavoured to secure them, sinking slowly in the sea depths. Among
those which we failed altogether in catching, was one of considerable size—three inches or so
in length—and conspicuously distinguished from all others of my acquaintance by its singular
cylindrical umbrella, and the dense, brilliantly-coloured nucleus. A rude and rapid memo-
randum of its aspect in the water, as seen over the vessel’s side, was all the record which we
could bring away.
In the autumn of 1845, when on a voyage of research with Mr. M‘Andrew, in his yacht
the Osprey, we procured numerous Medusz in the sound of Brassay, among the Zetland Isles.
It was with no small pleasure that, on emptying the tow-net one morning in August, I
found in it what at first glance appeared to be a floating Actinea, but which, on closer
examination, was evidently identical with the creature I had seen in the Frith of Clyde six
years before, and which I had often anxiously looked for since, but in vain. A further
inspection, and a comparison of it with published descriptions, soon convinced me that we
had secured the finger-shaped Medusa, so pithily described by Otho Fabricius.
The umbrella is sub-cylindrical and mitrate, swelling gently into a bell-shape in the
centre, somewhat apiculated at the apex. Its substance is highly transparent and colourless,
but firm. Its margin is fringed by fifty or more long annulated, and as if granulated, ten-
tacula, which are white, with orange bases, and when contracted, are curled or rather hooked
at their extremities. The bases of the marginal tentacles are covered by an external veil-like
prolongation of the margins. The sub-umbrella occupies slightly more than two thirds of
the length of the body, and is cylindrical in form. Along its sides are seen to run eight
conspicuous longitudinal bands of muscular tissue, which have a furbelowed appearance, in
consequence of habitually contracting at fixed intervals. The substance of these bands is
composed of distinct fibres. From the centre of the sub-umbrella depends a capacious and
cylindrical peduncle, the whole of whose interior is occupied by the stomach and ovaries, or
reproductive glands. The latter bodies consist of four quadrate groups of foliated and convo-
luted masses, of a bright reddish-brown or brownish-red hue, arranged in the course of four
simple gastric vessels. Each of these masses consists of a double series of fimbriated organs, each
series being placed on one side of a vessel. Below the ovaries the peduncle contracts, though
not greatly, and expands again to form the much divided fimbriated lips, which fringe and border
the wide oral orifice, and which are parted into four somewhat indistinct lobes. The lips are
TURRIS NEGLECTA. 23
of a fine rose colour. They reach to a level with the margin of the umbrella. The specimen
I have described was a little more than an inch in length, exclusive of its tentacula. It was
sluggish, possibly owing to fatigue, as it had probably been in the tow-net during a greater
part of the night. Ihave represented it in Plate III, fig. 1, @, of the natural size; fig. 1, 6, is an
outline showing the arrangement of the muscular bands; fig. 1, ¢, represents a portion of the
peduncle laid open, with two of the ovarian masses, and the fimbriated lips, also a part
of the border of the umbrella with its tentacula ; fig. 1, d, is a portion of one of the tentacles,
magnified ; and fig. 1, e, a portion of the tissue of one of the muscular bands, as seen under a
high power.
Eschscholtz has strangely placed this Medusa as an associate of Dianea viridula, in his
genus Hirene.
2. Turris neglecta, Lesson.
Plate III, Fig. 2.
Synonyms. Turris neglecta. Lesson, Prod., No. 38 (1837), and Acal. Hist.,
p. 284 (1843).
Cyanea coccinea. Davis, Ann. Nat. Hist., t. vii, p. 234, pl. 2, f.
12, 13 (1841).
Carminrothen beroe. Slabber, Ph. Vet., p. 59, t. xiii, f. 3? (1781).
Oceania sanguinolenta. Peron, Ann. de Mus., p. 347? (1809).
Oceania tetranema. Peron, Ann. de Mus., loc. cit. ? (1809).
A beautiful little species, which, when in its native element, is brilliant as a bead of
brightest coral. It appears to be not uncommon in the Solent andaround the Isle of Wight. I
first caught it on the south coast of that island in 1844, when geologising there with my friend
Captain Ibbetson. Since then it was taken in the west bay of Portland, just before the
Southampton meeting of the British Association, by Mr. M‘Andrew and myself, and again off
the mouth of Southampton harbour during the week of the meeting, in a memorable day’s
cruising, when a small band of British naturalists fraternised with Agassiz and Middendorf,
and enjoyed themselves as true students of Nature only know how, when “dredging the
waters under.”
The umbrella is transparent, smooth, and sub-hemispheric, inclining to conical. Its
summit is slightly pointed. The sub-umbrella is small in proportion, reaching to a little more
than half the height of the former. It is slightly pyramidal, with a truncated summit. The
muscular bands are distinctly seen striping its sides. The peduncle is large, and has a
singularly substantial aspect, in consequence of the compact masses of rich crimson or vermilion
convoluted and fimbriated ovaries which occupy its broader and upper half. This bright red
nucleus causes the animal, small as it is, for it reaches scarcely more than one fourth of an
inch in height, to be very conspicuous in the water. The substance of the lining of the sub-
umbrella is also very firm. The brilliant colouring of the ovaries is due to the presence of
large red ova. I met with individuals, which at first sight seemed as if belonging to a different
species, in which the reproductive glands were dull pink. These may have been males.
The peduncle terminates in four lips, which are fimbriated at their edges, and highly muscular.
24 TURRIS NEGLECTA.
The radiating vessels are four, and all simple. The margin of the umbrella is studded
with a close-set circle of tentacula, more than sixty in number (16 44+-4), very contractile,
being sometimes elongated into hair-like filaments, and at others contracted into little knobs.
Each tentacle has a large bulbous base, the upper part of which bears a brilliant ocellus,
consisting of crimson pigment-cells, and there is another speck, probably the site of an otolitic
mass below.
A very interesting account of this species, under the name of Cyan@a coccinea, was given
by Dr. J. F. Davis, in the seventh volume of the ‘Annals of Natural History.’ “ Amongst
the variety of animals,” writes that gentleman, “which we had opportunities of seeing,
during our stay at this charming marine watering-place (Tenby), none afforded greater interest
than a small Medusa belonging to the genus Cyan@a, Cuvier. ....... Having been dis-
covered by Mrs. Davis, who had likewise the best opportunity of watching its motions during
several weeks that she kept it in a glass of sea-water at Tenby, and afterwards here (Bath),
whither it was conveyed in a phial of the same, and lived three weeks after its arrival, I will
state the history of this ‘thing of light and life’ in her own words. ‘One morning, while
pouring some sea-water into the vessel containing my Acétiniz, I observed two small objects,
which I took for the young of these animals, and as quickly as possible raised them in a spoon
out of the basin, and placed them in a tumbler of clean sea-water. They resembled tiny bell-
glasses. Four transverse rays were perceptible on their sides, and a minute red body, with
four white arms forming a cross, was suspended in the water. Around the edge of the bell
or disk appeared a delicate white fringe, which was lengthened or shortened at the pleasure
of the animal. The contraction was sometimes so great, as to give the fringe the appearance
of being knotted up to the edge of the bell or disk. It was highly interesting to watch their
movements in the water as they ascended from the bottom, the bell or disk contracting and
dilating alternately, until the animal arrived near the surface of the water. This motion was
particularly conspicuous at the edge of the disk, and the fringe or tentacula became shortened
as the animal rose in the water; but when they descended again the tentacula lengthened,
sometimes to a great degree, after which the animals sunk gradually, and without any visible
effort. At the end of a fortnight one of my pets turned itself mside outwards, and remained
in this state for some time, when it died, and left only a few flocculent particles at the bottom
of the vessel. The other lived more than two months longer, and even bore a voyage to Bath
in a closed phial of sea-water, and remained active and vigorous during the space of three
weeks, when it likewise shrunk, died, and disappeared like the former, but without the previous
eversion.’””
Plate III, fig. 1, a, Turrts neglecta, much magnified ; 1, 6, body seen from above, showing
the muscular bands alternating with the vessels; 1, ¢, proboscis and lips; 1, d, one of the
lips magnified ; 1, e, a group of tentacles ; 1, g, a tentacle with its bulb, showing the ocellus
and otolitic mass; 1, 2, portion of a tentacle highly magnified; 1, 7, ova; 1, 4, muscular
tissue. '
SAPHENIA DINEMA. 25
Genus III. Sapnenta, Eschscholtz (1839).
Umbrella sub-cylindrical, campanulate, or hemispheric ; ovaries four, double,
convoluted, lining the upper part of the cavity of a highly extensile peduncle ;
vessels simple, four; margin of the umbrella with two large, and numerous very
small tentacula; mouth of the peduncle four-lipped.
I have no doubt whatsoever that the Medusa I am about to describe, is one of those
regarded by Eschscholtz as characteristic of his genus Saphenia, although his definition,
“ Pedunculus apice simplex,” does not apply. He founded his genus on figures and imperfect
descriptions; but, as it seems to be a good group wrongly defined, I have adopted it, and
revised the character.
1. Saphenia dinema (sp.), Peron (1809).
Plate II, Fig. 4.
Synonyms. Geryonia dinema. Peron, Ann. de Mus., p. 346 (1809).
Dianea dinema, Lamarck, First Ed., p. 505 (1817).
Campanella dinema. De Blainville, Man. d’Act., p. 286 (1834).
Saphenia dinema, Eschscholtz, Syst., p. 93 (1839).
>
I have met with this species in our seas during two seasons, once near Hillswick, on the
western coast of Zetland (1845), and thrice on the south coast of England, in Cornwall and at
Portland, in 1846. It is small, being scarcely more than one fourth of an inch in length, but
conspicuous, owing to the colour of its ovaries and tentacles. The umbrella is cylindrical,
somewhat mitrate, obtuse (acute in young specimens), and smooth. It is quite transparent and
colourless. From the margin spring two large orange purplish tentacles, with bulbous and
rather large bases; in the interspaces, and covered by a short veil, are a number of minute
and very short colourless tentacles, about twenty-four in all. These appear to increase with
age, as young specimens had fewer. The sub-umbrella is about two thirds the length of the
body. From its centre depends the highly contractile peduncle, which is sometimes drawn
out into a long tube, sometimes contracted into a short bell. In its uppermost part are lodged
the four reproductive glands, short, convoluted, double, distinct, of a bright purple colour
when adult, and when immature, tawny. The part of the peduncle below the ovaries is most
contractile, and is of a pale fawn colour, with four dark purple lines in the course of the
ovaries proceeding to the four slightly fimbriated lips bordering the orifice, and which, when
drawn together, give the club-like appearance that appears to have misled Eschscholtz and
other observers.
Plate II, fig. 4, a and db, represent this species (enlarged), as seen from the side and from
above; 4, ¢, is the appearance of the peduncle when contracted.
26 OCEANIA,
Genus IV. OcrEAntA (nom. Peron), (1809).
TiARA and Oceania (pars), Lesson.
Umbrella conical, mitrate, or rarely globular; ovaries four, double, convoluted,
lining the cavity of the peduncle; vessels simple, four; margin of the umbrella with
few, or many, similar tentacula; no conspicuous muscular bands; mouth of the
peduncle four-lipped.
The natural wish to preserve a name in a manner consecrated by long usage, has induced
me to retain that of Oceania, even at the risk of employing it in a somewhat different generic
signification from any of the many meanings hitherto given to it, and thereby perhaps almost
increasing confusion. In such a case it becomes a toss-up whether the conservative or the
destructive process be best; but as even the most virulent of reformers gladly seize on an
excuse for upsetting usurpers, whilst good-natured people are mclined to stand by ancient
dynasties, however bad, rather than risk the chances of change, I think it safest (though
prepared to do either) to adopt Oceania as a genus for the present, and, by defining it more
strictly, endeavour to make it more useful.
The term Oceania has been so often and generally applied to the Medusa pileata of
Forskal, and similar forms, that I think it best to restrict it to that group. Peron, who first
founded the genus, included them within it, though it is doubtful whether he would have
regarded the Forskalian species as the type. Lesson gives the generic name of Tvzara to
M. pileata ; and those who are extremely anxious to use a new name may adopt it. Eschscholtz
included its allies in his view of the genus, but also some very distinct forms. _
Using it in the sense here taken, the genus consists of those mostly mitre-shaped
Meduse, which have an ample dependent peduncle and convoluted ovaries within, a conspicuous
character indicating a close relationship with Zurrzs. Their muscular tissue, however, is not
nearly so highly organized as in the last-named genus, whilst the uniform character of the
tentacles separates them from Saphenia.
The species of Oceania range throughout the European seas, extending into the
Mediterranean. ‘They will probably be found much more numerous than at present recorded.
Sars has described and figured in his ‘ Beskrivelser, &c., 1835, a species with twenty-four
tentacula, and resembling in form our O. episcopalis, which may probably inhabit our seas.
He names it O. ampullacea, and describes it as ovato-campanulate, terminating above in an
oblong, conical appendage; the mouth furnished with very short fimbriations ; the length of
the body about an inch. Forskal’s name of ‘‘ Medusa pileata’ has been applied to more than
one species of the genus. He described it as “ ovato-campanulate, terminated above by a
hyaline sphere ; within containing an oblong, red nucleus; the margin fringed with numerous
tentacula, having yellow bases.” His figure does not show clearly the number of tentacula,
but they appear to have been sixteen and upwards. The animal figured by Ehrenberg as
Medusa pileata from the Norwegian seas, has a yellow nucleus, and appears to be the
Oceania ampullacea. The colour of the nucleus, the general form of the umbrella, and the
number of the tentacula, are evidently the most important sources of character in this genus,
and should be carefully noted.
OCEANIA EPISCOPALIS. 27
1. Oceania octona (sp.), Fleming.
Plate II, Fig. 3.
Synonym. Geryonia octona. Fleming, Edin. Phil. Journ., vol. viii, p. 299 (1822).
British Animals, p. 501 (1828).
Umbrella smooth, transparent, mitrate, somewhat constricted above the centre, and
produced into a conical acuminated apex. Margin with eight elongated yellow tentacula,
springing from thick bulbous bases. On each bulb is a minute red ocellus, and an otolitic
cavity beneath, with an included vibrating mass. Between each pair of tentacles are three
yellow minute tubercles springing from a narrow, yellow, marginal ring. On each tubercle is
a minute red ocellus. The central one is largest. Down the sides of the sub-umbrella, which
occupies about two thirds of the body, run four wide vessels to join a wide marginal vessel.
The upper part of the sub-umbrella has often a lobed appearance. From its centre depends
an ample, yellow, vasiform peduncle, including in its upper part four convoluted bright yellow
ovaries. Its orifice is wide, and bordered by four fimbriated yellow lips. I have taken this
species off the mouth of the Frith of Forth, where it has also been observed by my friend
Mr. Henry Goodsir, and in the seas near the east coast of Zetland.
It was first noticed and described by Dr. Fleming, who observed it in the sea of the east
coast of Scotland in 1821. In his account of an excursion made that year, published under
the title of Gleanings of Natural History, in the eighth volume of the ‘ Edinburgh Philo-
sophical Journal,’ he describes it as follows: ‘ Having returned from the Bell rock to the
vessel, I devoted some time to the examination of the molluscous cargo which I had brought
on board. While observing the motions of some of the animals in a glass of sea-water, a
Medusa presented itself belonging to the genus Geryonza of Peron and Lesueur. The body
was diaphanous, round at the margin, sub-conical at the summit, and slightly acuminated.
The central mouth was trumpet-shaped, and shortly pedunculated. The circumference of the
body was furnished with eight similar tentacula, equal to its diameter. As it differs from
Geryonia dinema and Geryonia proboscidalis, the only known species, I have named it
G. octona.”’ (Loc. cit. p. 298.)
2. Oceania episcopalis, Forbes.
Plate II, Fig. 1..
The great fishing-banks which stretch along the coasts of the Zetland Isles, whether
eastern or western, are among the most interesting of stations in the British seas for marine
researches. The beautiful Medusa which I have now to describe was taken in the neighbour-
hood of the western line of bank, forty miles from the mainland of Zetland, in the autumn of
1845. When lying to there, as much in open ocean as if we had been in the very middle of the
Atlantic,—the sea calm, though the heavy swell tossed our little vessel to and fro with a motion
that would make land-loving naturalists wish themselves on shore, and vow never more to meddle
with the wonders of the deep, but keep steadily at their studies among cockchafers and
tom-tits,—we were delighted by the sight of shoals of swimming gelatinous animals, with
brilhant purple nuclei, passing in succession near the surface of the water, and having all the
¢
~
8 OCEANIA TURRITA.
i
aspect of Salpe. On securing some, however, by means of the hand-net, they proved not
to be mollusks but Medusze, allied to, but very distinct from, the Geryonia octona of Dr.
Fleming. Mr. Patterson appears to have met with a species very similar, if not identical, at
Bangor, County Down.
The largest of the individuals taken measured an inch and a half long in the body; its
marginal tentacula far exceeding that dimension. The umbrella is very transparent, smooth,
and mitre-shaped, its upper part more or less tumid, and at times assuming a sub-globular
form, as if the body was crowned by a mobile glass ball. Round the margin are twelve
(2x4+4) highly contractile tentacula, with thick bases. These tentacles are of a pale
yellowish hue; between each pair of them are three minute yellowish tubercles, the central
one slightly the largest. All these tubercles and all the bulbous bases of the tentacles bear
very minute red ocelli (12 3-++-12=48). Round the orifice of the umbrella is a veil, borne
upwards and inwards. The sub-umbrella is conico-cylindrical, and occupies about two thirds
of the length of the body. From its centre is suspended an ample urn-shaped peduncle,
including in its upper and most tumid part the eight convoluted ovaries, dense, and of a rich
maroon purple colour. Four very wide gastric vessels run in the course of the reproductive
glands, and proceed down the sub-umbrella to join the wide marginal vessel. The peduncle
terminates in a campanulate proboscis, with a wide orifice, surrounded by four fimbriated lips
of a pale purplish-tawny hue.
It is a most active and graceful, but very delicate creature.
Plate I, fig. 1, @, represents an individual slightly enlarged; 1, , shows the disposition
of the ocellated tubercles between the tentacula.
3. Oceania turrita, Forbes.
Plate II, Fig. 2.
Umbrella campanulate, smooth, transparent, produced above into a long, conical, acute,
and mobile process, turned more or less to one side. Margin with four long yellow tentacles,
their bases much swollen; on the bulb of each is a very minute crimson ocellus, composed of
a well-defined group of pigment-cells, and in the substance of the bulb below it is a cavity
containing a vibrating mass of crystalline particles (calcareous ?), mixed with brown pigment-
cells. This, no doubt, is the otolitic body. Between each pair of tentacles are three yellowish
marginal tubercles, with rudimentary ocelli. The sub-umbrella occupies about half the length
of the body. Down its sides run four broad vessels to join a wide marginal vessel. From
its centre depends a rather short, but wide yellow peduncle, in the upper part of which are
four convoluted bright yellow reproductive glands. The orifice of the peduncle is cam-
panulate, and bordered by four slightly fimbriated lips. The body measures about half an
inch in length.
When I first caught this singular and active little Medusa, I fancied we had secured the
“ Piliseelotus vitreus’ of Templeton. That anomalous animal, however, I now beliéve to
have been merely a Sarsia tubulosa turned inside out. The Oceania turrita was taken in
the Zetland seas, in 1845.
Plate II, a, represents this animal much enlarged; 2, b, the body as seen from above ;
2, c, the bulb of a tentacle with the red ocellus and the otolitic cell; 2, d, the peduncle and
included ovaries; and 2, e, the arrangement of the tentacles and tubercles.
OCEANIA GLOBULOSA. 29
4. Oceania globulosa, Forbes.
Plate III, Fig. 3.
This is a minute species,—not larger than a pea,—but so very distinct, that it cannot
possibly be confounded with any of its congeners as yet described. The umbrella is glo-
bular, inflated, and very wide, extending much beyond the orifice on every side, quite smooth
and transparent. The sub-umbrella is also globular, and occupies rather. more than half of
the interior. Down it run four broad radiating vessels, to jo an ample marginal vessel.
Round the margin are forty close-set purple bulbs, the bases of as many filiform white ten-
tacula. When the bulbs are magnified, their colour is seen to depend upon rich purple
ocelli. From the centre of the sub-umbrella hangs a broad and rather short campanulate
peduncle, of a fawn colour, including, in its upper part, four double, convoluted, orange brown
reproductive glands. The orifice of the peduncle has four pale, tawny, fimbriated lips.
I procured two specimens of this singular Oceania in the Sound of Bressay, in 1835.
It differs so much from the other British species of the genus, that I had some hesitation in
placing it among the Oceaniz. In some respects it approaches more closely Turris; but the
inconspicuous character of the muscular tissue of the sub-umbrella prevents our assigning it
to that highly-developed group. Plate III, fig. 3, @, represents it, much magnified, as seen
from the side ; and 3, 6, as seen from above; 3, c, is the peduncle with the included ovaries ;
3, d, the bulb of a tentacle with its ocellus; and 3, e, the annulated appearance presented by
a tentacle when in its most extended state.
AEQUOREAD 2.
Genus V. Sromopracnivum, Brandt (1838).
Umbrella depressed or convex ; ovaries 8-12, linear, radiating on the surface of
the sub-umbrella in the lines of the vessels. Margin with very numerous tentacula.
Peduncle short, with lobed and fimbriated lips.
Stomobrachium octocostatum (sp.), Sars.
Plate IV, Fig. 1.
Synonyms. Oceania octocostata. Sars, Besk. aj. Jagt., p. 24, pl. 4, f. 9 (1835).
Melicertum campanulatum. Ehrenberg, Berlin Trans., 1835, pl. 8, f. 5-7.
A quorea octocostata. Lesson, Acal., p. 312 (1843).
Thaumantias Milleri. Landsborough, Arran, p. 265 (1847).
Of all our British naked-eyed Meduse, I know least about the family to which the
curious and elegant creature before us belongs. As yet we have only two members of it to
record—this and a beautiful jelly fish discovered by Mr. Alder. ‘The latter I have never seen
myself; the former I have not met with since my first season’s study of Meduse im 1839,
when, though I made careful drawings of it, I did not examine its minute structure, trusting
to meet with it again, as it seemed to be one of the most abundant of its tribe. Too often do
we thus put aside unexamined what seems common and always at hand; too often do we
regret our inattention when the opportunity is gone; and this with more serious subjects (some
could add with objects even more beautiful) than Meduse.
The genus Stomobrachium was constituted by Brandt for the reception of a Medusa
presenting characters intermediate between Mesonema and A%quorea, and connecting the
family of which the latter is the type with the Oceanide. The only species known to the
Russian naturalist had been discovered and delineated by Mertens in the South Atlantic
Ocean, near the Falkland Isles, in the month of January, 1827.
In 1835, Sars described and figured a little Medusa of the Norwegian seas under the
name of Oceania octocostata, with the diagnosis, “ Disco campanulato, ore plicato brachiis
nullis ; intus canalibus 8 clavatis, cirris marginalibus longissimis.” He accompanied it bya
fuller account in the Norwegian language.
The same species had been excellently figured by Ehrenberg in 1835, under the name of
Melicertum campanulatum (which had been applied in 1829 by Eschscholtz to a very distinct
Medusa from the Pacific), apparently under the impression that the animal in question was the
Medusa campanula of Otho Fabricius (Campanella Fabricii of Lesson).
STOMOBRACHIUM OCTOCOSTATUM. 31
During the month of July 1839, when cruising with Mr. Smith in the Kyles of Bute, we
met with numbers of a little Medusa identical with those figured by Sars and Ehrenberg, and
afterwards found it equally common in the bays of the north-west coast of Ireland.
The umbrella is very convex and campanulate, transparent, and smooth. The sub-
umbrella is large, and truncated at the summit. Round the margin of the umbrella is a thick
fringe of fine, very extensile, tentacula (40—60, according to Sars; if the former number, the
formula might probably be 8xX4-++8). Between each of these Ehrenberg represents a very
small tentacle, which is borne upwards or obliquely when the larger ones are extended, and he
also figures a vesicle (otolitic?) at the origin of each of the small tentacula. Down the
sub-umbrella run eight simple vessels, and in the course of each is a conspicuous linear
furbelowed ovary or reproductive gland. The ovary and the tentacles are of a golden yellow
colour. The peduncle is also yellow, short, but broad, and is suspended from the centre of the
sub-umbrella ; it is occupied by the stomach, and terminates in four fimbriated lobes or lips,
which change their forms so as sometimes to appear as if eight in number.
This account of a beautiful and probably not rare species is evidently insufficient, though
enough for its recognition, and I hope on some future opportunity to observe it more completely.
Of its aspect and habits in confinement, a graphic account has been given by my friend the
Rev. David Landsborough, in his delightful volume on the Island of Arran, not the less
graphic for proceeding in part from the pen of Hugh Miller, who could not fail to present a
vivid picture of this animated and beautiful bubble, after having endowed the fragmentary and
motionless remains of fossil fishes with such vitality, that no reader of his admirable ‘Old Red
Sandstone’ rises from its perusal, without the fond impression of having seen in his mind’s
eye the Pterichthys and Coccosteus, and their strange companions of the deep, not as shapeless
lumps of rock, ranged in orderly rows under sheet-glass, but as living monsters sporting in a
primeeval sea.
“There was a Medusa,” writes Mr. Landsborough, “ discovered by my son David, which
was quite new to us, and, from its minuteness, probably known to few. We took it home, and
put it in a tumbler of sea-water, that we might better observe its structure and graceful
evolutions. I would have attempted to describe it, but glad was I, soon after we had seen it,
to find this done to my hand by one who is acknowledged in the scientific world as a graphic
describer of nature—Mr. Hugh Miller; best known among men of science as the author of
the truly interesting work on the ‘ Old Red Sandstone,’ but better known to our countrymen
in general as the talented Editor of the ‘ Witness.’ Nothing escapes his scientific eye; and
from his ‘Summer Rambles,’ I learned that he had about the same time discovered it, when
aboard the Betsy, off the Island of Eigg. He speaks of two—one scarcely larger than a
shilling, ‘another still more minute,’ (ours, I think, about the breadth of a sixpence), ‘and
which presenting in the water the appearance of a small hazel nut of a brown-yellowish hue,
I was disposed,’ says he, ‘ to set down as a species of Beroe. On getting one caught, how-
ever, and transferred to a bowl, I found that the brown-coloured, melon-shaped mass, though
ribbed like a Beroe, did not present the true outline of the animal; it formed merely the
centre of a gelatinous bulb, which, though scarcely visible even in the bowl, proved a most
effective instrument of motion. Such were its contractile powers, that its sides nearly closed
at every stroke behind the opaque centre, like the legs of a vigorous swimmer; and the
animal—unlike its more bulky congeners, that, despite of their slow persevering flappings,
32 POLYXENIA ALDERI.
seemed greatly at the mercy of the tide, and progressed all one way—shot, as it rolled back-
ward, forward, or athwart.’ The transparent tumbler gave me this advantage in observing
it, that I could use a magnifying lens when it approached the side. Notwithstanding this
advantage, it was some time before I observed the true form of the animal, as Mr. Miller’s
excellent description had not then been published. The transparent ball that rose above its
body was so very pellucid, that it was a good while before I observed it all. It rose toa
considerable height above the buff-coloured body of the animal; and it was elegantly shaped,
like the fine crystalline shades often placed over stuffed birds, or artificial flowers, or miniature
figures formed of pure alabaster. The finest crystal vase was clumsiness itself when compared
with it. It was as fine as the transparent soap-bubble blown out of a pipe; and we doubt
not that, like this bubble, it would have been iridescent had it been so placed as that the sun
could have shone on it. Delicate as its fabric was, the vigour of the little creature was very
remarkable, and has been well compared to the efforts of a strong swimmer, as it alternately
contracted and expanded its pellucid organization. The margin of its mouth had a close
fringe of brownish tentacula. By aid of the lens, I could observe that they were drawn in
when the body was contracted, but that at every stroke they were protruded like forked
lightning, or like feathered serpents, darting and flashing forth, till they were longer than the
body of the animal.” (Landsborough, Arran, chapter xvi, p. 260.)
When I met with this Stomobrachium in 1839, I fortunately made a drawing of it in
two states, the one (Plate IV, fig. 1, a@ and 6) having much wider reproductive glands than
the other (Plate IV, fig. 1, ¢), in which they are linear and paler, and reach quite to the
margin. The former state is identical with that observed by Ehrenberg, who found ova in
the folds of the ovaries; the latter is not improbably the male animal.
Genus VI. Potyxenta, Eschscholtz (1839).
Umbrella spreading, more or less depressed. Ovaries numerous, linear, in the
centres of triangular spaces which reach nearly to the circumference. Marginal
tentacles between each pair of ovaries. Peduncle very short, terminating in an oral
orifice, surrounded by four lanceolate arms.
Polyxenia Alderi, Forbes.
Plate IV, Fig. 2 (under the name of P. cyanostilis).
I have ventured entirely to redefine the genus Polyxenia, and to regard it as represented
by the beautiful Medusa now figured from a drawing of my accomplished and distinguished
friend Mr. Alder, who observed it on the coast of Devon, in 1846. The umbrella is expanded,
and rather depressed, smooth, and transparent. Its margin is deeply notched by sixteen
indentations, out of which spring as many rosy tentacula, alternately longer and shorter. The
sub-umbrella is divided into sixteen somewhat triangular spaces, which commence at about
two thirds of its height, and terminate near the margin. In the centre of each of these spaces
POLYXENIA ALDERI. 33
is a linear ovary. Each space terminates marginally in two truncated lobes, one on each side
of the ovary, and always alternately longer or shorter. Each lobe, especially the shorter one,
is slightly lobulated. From the centre of the sub-umbrella springs a short peduncle, very
soon terminating in four linear-lanceolate, rather long, arm-like lips, white, tipped with rose
colour. They project beneath and lower than the umbrella. The breadth of the disk is
about two inches.
I had referred this graceful creature to the Polyxenia cyanostyla of Eschscholtz, and it
is so named in the plate. Anxious, if possible, to retain and illustrate an old species, little
known, rather than add a new name, against my better judgment I persisted in this opinion.
On more recent consideration, however, I feel bound to abandon it, and do so the more
willingly, since it enables me to retain the name of its discoverer as patron-saint of at least
one of the new species here described.
It may perhaps be disputed whether the genus Polyxenia is its proper place, and
whether I do right in changing the characters of the genus as above. An earnest conside-
ration of the probability of the nature of the animal, very imperfectly described by the founder
of the genus, induces me to do so. His figure of Polyxenia cyanostilis appears to me to
represent a mutilated animal, deprived of its lips; and could we restore it, I believe the repre-
sentation now given (Plate IV, 2,a@, natural size ; 2, 6, much enlarged) would closely approach
the figure of the creature delineated in the ‘ System der Acalephen.’
or
CIRCEAD.
Genus VII. Circe, Mertens (1838).
Umbrella coinco-campanulate ; ovaries eight, placed on the sub-umbrella at a
little distance around its summit; vessels eight, simple, passing through the ovaries,
and opening into a marginal vessel; tentacula very numerous, and placed in a
single series around the margin; peduncle cylindrical, contracting near its extremity
to form the small campanulate stomach, the orifice of which is furnished with four
lanceolate lips.
Circe rosea, Forbes (1846).
Plate I, Fig. 2.
The genus Circe was constituted by Mertens for a remarkable little Medusa found by
him on the coast of Kamtschatka. Brandt adopted this group in his ‘ Prodromus,’ and
afterwards more fully in the ‘Petersburgh Transactions,’ where he described the species
discovered by Mertens under the name of Circe camtschatica, and engraved it from the
drawings of its discoverer. Lesson, in his ‘ History of the Acalephe,’ added two more
species to the genus under the names of C. elongata, and C. anais, both discovered by Rang
in the African (west ?) seas, and figured from his drawings.
The Medusa which I now figure and describe under the name of Circe rosea, is the
first of the genus noticed in the European seas. Though very small,—the largest specimens
taken not being more than half an inch in height,—its aspect is very beautiful and striking.
The umbrella is oblong, and somewhat mitre-shaped, with an apiculate summit. The outer
surface is quite smooth. Round the margin is a close and single series of small tentacula,
which, however, seem capable of considerable elongation, though usually retracted. Their
number varies slightly. They are all similar, and in the examples taken, were 56 in number.
Their formula might stand as 6X8-+8. They are all external to a veil, which guards the
orifice of the sub-umbrella, and is marked by sixteen denticulations. I could detect no ocelli at
the bases of the tentacula. From the centre of the sub-umbrella depends a long cylindrical
peduncle, which reaches nearly to a line with the margin, and is contracted a little above the
orifice, so as to form a kind of proboscis terminated by four simple lanceolate lips. The
stomach is very short, and terminates almost at the upper point of contraction, where we see
eight gastro-vascular canals commence, run up the side of the peduncle, distinct from each
other, turn at its base, and descend the sub-umbrella, till they reach and unite with the marginal
vessel. In the uppermost part of their course along the sub-umbrella, they pass through as
many small ovate, simple generative glands, which, when the animal is seen from above,
CIRCE ROSEA. 35
appear like so many clubs or spokes round a central axle. The body is of various shades of
pink, and the ovaries yellow; consequently, although the creature is so transparent, and
unfurnished with brilliantly coloured ocelli to mark its position in the water, it is not uncon-
spicuous nor difficult to see.
The first specimen observed of this species was taken by Mr. M‘Andrew and myself in
the Zetland seas, in August, 1845, off Vella, seven miles from land. We afterwards met with
seyeral in Brassay Sound, on the opposite coast of the mainland.
Compared with Brandt's species, it differs in the form of the ovaries, in general aspect
and colour, and in the absence of conspicuous ocelli, eight of which, apparently colourless,
are represented in the beautiful drawing by Mertens (Petersburgh Memoirs, Sixth Series,
Sc. Nat., t. ii, 1838, pl. 1, f. 1-5). The simple series of tentacula distinguish it from Circe
anais, also rose-coloured. (Lesson, loc. cit. pl. 5, f. 1.) It is more nearly allied to
C. elongata, but differs in form. (Lesson, loc. cit. pl. 5, f. 2.)
The genus Circe is evidently closely allied to Thawmantias, Dianea, and Geryonia,
differing mainly in the number of ovaries and of gastro-vascular canals. The generative
glands may be said to be those of Thaumantias, the peduncle to be that of Dianza. Brandt
placed it among the Oceanide, and Lesson strangely introduces it between his genus Zurris,
and Brandt’s genus Conzs, genera belonging to a very different group, and, as I have shown,
scarcely deserving of separation, both being close allies of Oceania. With the Oceanide,
however, Circe has evidently no affinity.
Plate I, f. 2, Circe rosea, natural size; 2, a, greatly enlarged; 2, 5, as seen from
above, showing the relative arrangement of the vessels and ovaries; 2, ¢, tentaculated
margin and denticulated veil; 2, d, an ovary; 2, e, portion of the margin, between two of
the radiating vessels; 2, /, peduncle, and small stomach at its extremity, with the oral
orifice; 2, g, lips of the oral orifice.
GERYONIAD.
Genus VIII. Gerryonta, Peron (1809).
Umbrella hemispheric, margin furnished with tentacula in variable number,
usually few; radiating vessels five; ovaries four, phylliform, on the surface of the
sub-umbrella in the course of the vessels ; peduncle rather long, conico-cylindrical,
terminating in a small campanulate stomach, opening by four lips.
Geryonia appendiculata, Forbes.
Plate V, Fig. 2.
One of the most phosphorescent Medusa of the British seas is the graceful little animal
I have now to describe. The umbrella is smooth, transparent, and of a hemispherical shape,
sometimes nearly sub-globose, slightly elongating durmg the act of ascending, becoming
more spherical when descending. The margin is fringed by eight distant tentacula, four of
which are of a different structure from the other four; the former being cylindrical, and
composed of similar tissue (fibrous cells) throughout, whilst the latter have an outer and inner
side of different composition, the fibrous cells being collected in bundles or masses at regular
intervals on the inner surface. Both orders of tentacles appear to be tubular. Those of the
first kind are highly contractile, and capable of great extension, trailing after the body to
twice or three times its length when the animal rises, becoming short and thick when it
sinks. The intermediate tuberculated tentacles have not an equal power of extension. At
the origin, and by the side of each of the more extensile tentacles, is a globular body within
a cavity (otolitic ?) produced linearly upwards to terminate in a vesicular body, also with
contents (a rudimentary ocellus 7). A similar, though smaller and less defined, structure is
seen at the bases of the intermediate tentacles. Opposite to each of the longer tentacles is a
simple gastric vessel joining a marginal one, and proceeding down the inner surface of the
rather conical and truncated sub-umbrella. Towards the summit of the sub-umbrella in the
course of the vessels are the bases of four leaf-shaped, cordate, reproductive glands (in the
instances examined, ovaries). Round the opening of the sub-umbrella is a rather broad,
shelf-like veil. From its centre depends a long conical peduncle, extending for half its length
below the orifice of the disk. Its base is thick, and it tapers rather gradually nearly to the
extremity, a little above which there is a constriction, marking the commencement of the
broad campanulate stomach. The gastric vessels commence at this point, and run up the
peduncle. The oral orifice is four-lobed, but these lobes or lips change form considerably,
sometimes appearing acute, sometimes obtuse, and occasionally as if six-lobed. They are
bordered by a highly contractile tissue composed of fibrous cells. Indistinct bands of similar
TIMA BAIRDII. 37
tissue are present in the substance of the peduncle, and give it its power of motion, so as to
cause it at times to remind us of the proboscis of some pachyderm. With the exception of a
tinge of green on the ovaries, and of pink on the tentacles, this animal is colourless. The
specimens taken measure, body and trunk, from one inch to one inch and a half.
Two specimens were taken by Mr. M‘Andrew and myself in the Reach of Dartmouth,
August 31st, 1846. We afterwards took some at a distance of fifteen miles from land, off the
coast of Devon and in the west bay of Portland. The peculiar distinctive characters of the
tentacula distinguish this beautiful Geryonta from any recorded species.
I have adopted the genus Geryonia in the limited sense accorded to it by Lesson,
restricting it to those pedunculated forms of the group as first named by Peron and Lesueur, in
which we find four phylliform ovaries. It thus constitutes a natural and probably extensive
assemblage of species. Of the Geryonie, as restricted by Eschscholtz, four out of his six
species, viz. G. tetraphylla, G. bicolor, G. rosacea, and G. exigua, will fall under the section
so defined. Lamarck had united them with very different animals, such as Oceania and
Pelagia, in his very unnatural assemblage, Dianza. De Blainville places it as a section of
his extended genus Geryonia, distinguished from his Dianea by the presence of phylliform
ovaries. The few species recorded of this genus are widely distributed: three are from the
seas of the tropics, both Indian and Pacific ; one is from Gibraltar ; and one from the Adriatic
(G. planata), briefly but excellently described and figured by Dr. Will. I have found a
species in the Aigean.
Geryonia appendiculata, as represented in Plate V, f. 2, is the animal seen in profile
during the act of descending and contraction, (2, a, indicates the natural size,) and 2, ¢, is the
same when ascending and expanding; 2, b, represents the position of parts as seen from
above; 2, d, is an ovary magnified; 2, e, represents the two sorts of tentacles contracted,
with the vesicles at their bases; these are represented still more highly magnified at 2, /,
and 2, z. The proboscis, with the stomach and its lips, and the commencement of the gastric
vessels, is shown in 2, h.
Genus X. Tima, Eschscholtz (1839).
Umbrella hemispheric; margin with (rather distant) tentacula; radiating
vessels four, simple ; ovaries four, linear in the course of the vessels ; peduncle
cylindrical, terminating in a campanulate stomach with four fimbriated lips.
Tima Bairdii (sp.), Johnston (1833).
Synonym. Dianea Bairdii. Johnston, in Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History,
vol. vi, p. 320, fig. 41 (1833).
One of the most earnest and enthusiastic of British naturalists, the author of the excellent
‘History of British Zoophytes,’ discovered the elegant Medusa now to be described, and
dedicated it to his friend Dr. Baird, a gentleman whose skill in some of the minutest and
least investigated departments of zoology has gained him a high reputation, and who, devoting
38 TIMA BAIRDII.
his time and sacrificing his professional pursuits to his favorite science, is now one of the
unselfish band of worthy assistants in the National Museum.
Dr. Johnston met with the Zima Bairdii in Berwick Bay, on the 27th of September,
1832, floating on the surface of the water; and published an account of it in Loudon’s
Magazine for the following year, illustrating his description by an expressive sketch from the
pencil of his accomplished and esteemed lady, to whom, as to her eminent husband, our
science owes many debts of gratitude. He describes it as “a semi-globular mass of a perfectly
translucent and almost colourless jelly, divided by four opaque, milk-white, narrow ligaments,
or bands, into four equal compartments. These bands arise at the angles of the mouth, and
are at first very fine, but become broader and somewhat- curled in their course towards the
upper surface. The very delicate membrane investing the body is folded at the margin,
which is furnished with a circle of rather distant, tapered, white tentacula. In our specimen there
were thirteen of these. The under side is produced in the middle, so as to form a kind of stalk,
at the apex of which is the mouth, of a square form, and encircled by four plumose branchial
appendages. When magnified, these are shown to be formed of a thin membrane, beautifully
but irregularly folded, like a frill, and edged with a neat thickened border. Dianea Bairdii
seems to be invested with two membranes, of great tenuity. The outer one covers all, like as
it were a glass inverted over a smaller globe, the intermediate space being occupied with a
consistent but colourless jelly, in which neither vessels nor membranes can be distinguished.
This coat forms two loose folds around the circumference, from the innermost of which the
tentacula arise, and the inner coat is probably a continuation of the outer reflected upwards ;
but it is not a simple membrane, since several laminz can be perceived to cross the body.
The white conical bands adhere to this inner envelope; they are not muscular, but very
probably belong to the generative system. I consider the plumose processes at the oral
aperture as subservient to respiration, partly because of their position, and partly because of
their folded structure ; intended, as it appears to be, to expose the largest possible surface to
the action of the water. This Medusa isa luminous species. It gives out a copious light of a
whitish colour, when the water in which it swims is agitated, or when it comes in contact with
foreign bodies.”
Dr. Johnston compares it with a minute phosphorescent Medusa taken by Dr. Baird in
the Straits of Malacca, and considers the two identical. In all probability, however, they are
quite distinct, though congeneric.
During the winter of 1839, I met with this handsome Medusa in two localities: first, in
the harbour at Burtisland, in the Frith of Forth, and afterwards at St. Andrews, where a
number of individuals were cast ashore on the sands, along with Cydippe pileus, and
C. Flemingit, and Aurelia aurita, after a very stormy night.
The umbrella, in the specimens I examined and drew, was hemispheric, or rather cam-
panulate, with a slight constriction, giving it an elegant undulation about the upper third.
It varies, however, much in form. It is smooth, transparent, and colourless. ‘The margin
bears sixteen tentacula, usually contracted, and tinged with pale pink. Between the tentacles
there is the appearance as of a scalloped veil. The sub-umbrella is truncated, and marked by
four radiating vessels, opening into a circular marginal one. In the course of these four
vessels appear to be four very narrow, linear, whitish reproductive glands. From the centre
of the sub-umbrella depends an ample cylindrical peduncle, extending for about a third of its
GERYONOPSIS DELICATULA. 39
length below the opening. Down it run the gastric vessels to the most constricted point,
where they join a short campanulate stomach set on as if obliquely, and opening by four
ample, triangular, beautiful crimped lips. The breadth of the umbrella was two inches. I
saw no ocelli, though very possibly they are present. I placed one of these animals in a
tumbler of sea-water with some specimens of Cydippe equally alive and active. Before long
the Medusa seized one of them with its lips, and made such vigorous exertions to swallow the
ciliograde, that I had great difficulty in rescuing its victim.
The peculiar form of the reproductive glands, which, indeed, are difficult to detect,
prevent us placing this animal in Geryonia, to which genus it has close affinity, or in Dianea
(regarding Dianea probosciadalis as the type of the latter). The genus Zima of Eschscholtz
seems to be its proper place. [Discus facie infera in conum productus. Ventriculus
plicatus in apice coni situs. Canali quaterni cum circulo marginali conjuncti. Cirrhi
marginales numerosi.”| The figure given by that author of his Zima flavilabris, from the
neighbourhood of the Azores, bears considerable resemblance to that of the species before us,
but the number of tentacula (80) is much greater.
Plate V, f. 1, Zima Bairdii during contraction: 1, a, during expansion; 1, b, as seen
from above.
Genus X. Gerryonopsis, Forbes.
Umbrella hemispherical ; ovaries four, clavate, conspicuous on the sub-umbrella
in the course of the four simple radiating vessels ; margin of umbrella with numerous
short tentacula ; stomach at the extremity of a short peduncle, terminating in four
large fimbriated lips.
Geryonopsis delicatula, Forbes.
Plate IX, Fig. 1 (under the name of Zhaumantias cymbaloides).
Anxious to retain, if possible, the names of recorded species in our British lists, I
referred to the Medusa cymbaloides of the older acalephologists, a very graceful and tender
jelly-fish, which is not uncommon on the south coast of England. With much reluctance I
abandon the reference, for though the character of the stomach, ‘‘ voluminous and much
exceeding the border,” mentioned by Peron, applies only to the animal before us among all
the immediate allies of 7awmantias, one of which, the Medusa cymbaloides of Slabber, must
be in the British seas, the other character of “ tentaculis sedecim, basi bulbosis,” adopted in
all diagnoses of that species, cannot by any stretch be made to apply, and is too positive to
be founded on imperfect observation, since the bulbs of the tentacula are distinctly stated to
be brilliantly ocellated. I trust further research will, before long, make better known to us
the original species of Slabber and Modeer.*
The umbrella of my Medusa is hemispheric and rather depressed, smooth, transparent,
colourless, and of a singularly delicate texture. The margin is encircled by a row of very
* Plate IX was unfortunately altered and printed off before the name could be corrected,
40 GERYONOPSIS DELICATULA.
short tentacula, numerous (16 4-+-4), but not placed in contact, and irregularly developed.
They are of a slightly milky hue, and have slightly bulbous bases, but no coloured ocelli.
There appears to be an otolitic mass in the cavity of each bulb, but I could observe no motion
The sub-umbrella is hemispherical and depressed ; down it run four simple vessels to join the
marginal vessels, and in their course are four greenish conspicuous, linear-lanceolate, or
rather claviform, reproductive glands, with wavy margins. Round the inner margin of the
umbrella is a horizontal, broad, membranous veil or shelf. From the summit of the sub-
umbrella depends a conical peduncle, which projects beyond the margin, and, after contracting,
suddenly expands into a wide campanulate stomach, with four large, lanceolate, fimbriated
lips, whose edges are bordered by a thick layer of fibrous cells, endowing them with a highly
motor power. Into the summit of the cavity of the stomach the four gastric vessels are plainly
seen opening. The lips are tinged with green. The disk measures one inch and a half across.
Several specimens occurred on the coasts of Dorset and Devon during August 1836,
especially in the Reach of Dartmouth. It was usually in company with the Geryonia
appendiculata.
In 1839, Professor Goodsir and I took a Medusa at Scalloway, in Zetland, presenting
many of the characters of the species we have described, but differing in having much longer
and more numerous tentacula, more clavate and purple ovaries, and pale fimbriated lips. We
announced it at the meeting of the British Association, at Birmingham, asa new Oceania, and
it has since been quoted as such by Lesson. For the present, however, it is better to abstain
from naming it, though in all probability distinct, since the drawing and memoranda made at
the time are insufficient; the animal, owing to unavoidable circumstances, not having been
submitted to microscopic observation. I may here remark, once for all, that under no circum-
stances can any of the naked-eyed Medusze (above all, those belonging to the tribe we are now
treating of) be identified without aid of the microscope, and the accident of that instrument
not having been employed for the examination of Acalephee by the greater number of
zoologists who have written upon them systematically, has rendered published diagnoses and
determinations so imperfect, as, in the majority of instances, to be little better than utterly
worthless. The quoting of authorities, synonyms, and localities respecting the subjects of
this monograph is, in fact, an act of courtesy to those who have gone before us, rather than
of justice to science, which would have thriven better if half the bad figures and worse
descriptions of the smaller Medusze had never seen the light. Too truly in this case might it
be said of such describers—
“They have perplexed,
With a dark comment, Beauty’s clearest text ;
They have not told her face’s story true,
But brought false copies to our jealous view.” Carew.
Of course, there are some honorable exceptions to this censure, especially Sars, Wagner, Milne
Edwards, and Will. :
The higher Medusz, probably because larger, have been more fortunate. The
Geryonia pellucida of Will (Hore Tergestine, p. 70, pl. 2, f.8) isa Geryonopsis not far
removed from the species before us. Jt differs in having more clavate ovaries, simpler lips,
and finer marginal tentacula (64). Dr. Will relates of his species that it devoured eggs of
Beroe rufescens, of which some living specimens kept in the same vessel had laid many eggs,
THAUMANTIAS. 4]
and states that his friend Dr. Koch observed it eat mutilated fragments of the ciliograde
Eucharis multicornis. The coarser indigestible parts of its food were ejected by the mouth
in doing which the stomach shortened considerably, and everted itself partially.
Plate IX, f. 1, @, represents a large specimen of Geryonopsis delicatula of the natural
size; 1, 6, shows the structure of the lips, and the origins of the gastric vessels; 1, ¢, is a
reproductive gland, the vessel passing through its centre ; 1, d,a tentacle with its bulb; and
1, e, a partially developed tentacle.
Genus XI. TuHaumanttas, Eschscholtz (1829).
Umbrella hemispherical, in some species almost globular, in others much
depressed ; ovaries four, varying in form from ovate to linear, conspicuous on the
sub-umbrella in the course of four simple radiating vessels; margin of umbrella with
tentacula in variable number (from 4 to 200) according to the species, their bulbs
always ocellated ; stomach sessile, dependent from, and almost always included
within the sub-umbrella ; mouth with four lips, rarely fimbriated.
This excellent genus was instituted by Eschscholtz for the reception of the Medusa
cymbaloidea of Slabber, andthe Medusa hemispherica of Gronovius. The latter is so much
better known than the first, that it may be regarded as the type. They are probably,
however, identical. When Lesson published his ‘ History of the Acalephz,’ in 1843, he
enumerated nine species of Zkaumantias, two of them Norwegian, discovered by Sars, and
four British, described by myself in the ‘ Annals of Natural History.’ The ninth was the
Medusa lucida of Macartney, another name for 7. hemispherica.
Of all the naked-eyed Medusz, those belonging to this genus are most common in our
seas, swarming in countless myriads in many of our bays and harbours. They are among
the most usual causes of phosphorescence. It might be expected that animals so
abundant, when carefully sifted, although so similar, would be found to include several
distinct kinds. I have now to describe no fewer than seventeen British species of 7haumantias,
of which the greater number are all so very distinct from each other, that they cannot
be confounded. I believe many more equally distinct will be before long discovered in the
European seas.
The characters in common presented by many of these kinds are such as to enable us
conveniently to group them in sectional assemblages, dividing them, in the first instance,
under two sub-generic heads:—
42 THAUMANTIAS PILOSELLA.
A. Marginal tentacles of two kinds (CoSMETIRA).
1. Thaumantias pilosella.
B. Marginal tentacles of one order only (THAUMANTIAS).
* Marginal tentacles four.
2. 7. quadrata.
3. TZ. eronautica.
** Marginal tentacles eight.
4. T. octona.
*** Marginal tentacles sixteen and upwards.
+ Umbrella very convex or globose.
5. 7. maculata.
6. 7. melanops.
7. 7. globosa.
8. 7. convexa.
9. 7. gibbosa.
tt Umbrella depressed.
10. 7. lineata.
ll. 7. pileata.
12. 7. Sarnica.
13. 7. Thompsont.
14. 7. hemispherica,
15. 7. inconspicua.
16. 7. punctata.
17. 7. lucifera.
A. Marginal tentacles of two kinds.
[CosMETIRA. |
1. Thaumantias pilosella, Forbes.
Plate VIII, Fig. 1.
By far the most beautiful, and among the largest, of the British kinds of Zhaumantias is
that I have first to describe. The umbrella, which sometimes measures nearly two inches in
diameter, but more usually one, or one and a quarter, is hemispheric, and shaped like a watch-
glass, but much more convex. It is transparent and smooth, except on the sides towards the
margin, where it is as if woolly, being invested with minute epidermic hairs composed of fibrous
cells. These, though sufficiently conspicuous, may escape the observer who is not aware of their
presence, in consequence of their transparency. The margin is fringed by very numerous
THAUMANTIAS QUADRATA., 43
(24x 4+-4), extensile (but usually borne rather short), pale pinkish tentacula, with bulbous
bases. The bulbs are ocellated, with dense crescentic masses of purple pigment-cells.
When the margin is much magnified, it is seen to be bordered by a narrow band or thread of
fibrous cells, from which the tentacles spring, and between each pair there are six or seven
short, fine, secondary tentacles, without ocelli at their bases. The coloured bulbs of the
larger tentacles are very conspicuous, and appear in the water as a circle of brilliant purple
gems. The inner margin of the umbrella is bordered by a shelf-like veil. The sub-umbrella
is depressed, and on its surface run the four radiating vessels with a long, linear, somewhat
clavate ovary, of a bright pink colour, commencing very near the centre, and terminating close
to the margin in the course of each. The stomach is very short, but wide, of a rose colour,
and has four lanceolate, fimbriated lips, bordered by a compact edging of fibrous cells.
This beautiful Medusa is very abundant in the bays and harbours of Zetland, especially
in the Sound of Brassay, where it is the most common species of its genus. Mr. Alder met
with it on the south coast of England, at Falmouth, in 1847.
Plate VIII, fig. 1, a, represents its usual appearance, twice the natural size ; 1, b, as seen
from above, of the size of nature; 1, e, an ovary; 1, d, a lip; 1, e, a pair of the larger ten-
tacula with their ocelli, and the smaller tentacula between them.
B. Marginal tentacles of one order.
[THAUMANTIAS. |
* Marginal tentacles, four.
2. Thaumantias quadrata, Forbes.
Plate IX, Fig. 2.
Umbrella campanulate, rather elongated, becoming globose during contraction, smooth,
pellucid, colourless ; margin with four equidistant tentacula springing opposite to the gastric
vessels from large and conspicuous bulbs. The tentacula are rather stout, dusky purple, and
conspicuously granulated on the surface. The bulbs are bright yellow, with ocelli composed
of vermilion pigment-cells loosely grouped together. A similar ocellated bulb is in the centre
of the marginal space between each pair of tentacles, but is not so large as those at their
bases, and exhibits no rudiment of a tentacle springing from it. In the interspaces again,
between each intermediate bulb and the tentacular one, is a very small yellowish tubercle,
without an ocellus. I have no reason to think that tentacula are developed from any of the
bulbs, except the four largest. The four ovaries are ovate, pale yellow, and placed in the
course of the radiating vessels in the lower half of the sub-umbrella, towards the margin. The
inner margin is surrounded by a veil. The proboscis is rather short, but slender and narrow,
quadrangular, yellow, lineated with red. It terminates in four simple, triangular, acute lips.
This little species was observed very abundantly in the harbour of Tarbet, Loch Fyne,
in the autumn of 1845. The umbrella is scarcely more than two tenths-of an inch in length.
Plate IX, f. 2, a, represents it of the natural size ; 2, b, magnified, and seen from the side ;
2, ¢, as seen from above; 2, d, an ovary; 2, e, tentacle and its bulb, with the intermediate
bulbs.
44 THAUMANTIAS OCTONA.
3. Thaumantias eronautica, Forbes.
Plate IX, Fig. 3.
The umbrella of this minute species, which is still smaller than T. quadrata, is oblong,
and becomes elongated during contraction. It is smooth, transparent, and colourless. The
margin bears four fine, colourless, filiform tentacula, which are often extended to a prodigious
length, as compared with the dimensions of the body, or with the small size, both of length
and diameter, into which they can contract themselves. When magnified, they exhibit a
moniliform appearance. They spring from four large bulbs of a pale yellow colour, with traces
of an interior vesicle, but no brightly coloured ocelli. In the mterspaces of the margin are
yellow tubercles, three between each pair of tentacles, the central one largest, but all very
small as compared with the tentacle-bulbs. Down the sub-umbrella, which is of an oblong
form, and sometimes, when vigorously contracting, of a pear-shape, run the four gastric vessels,
traversing at exactly half its height as many very small ovate reproductive glands, of a pale
yellow colour. The stomach is sessile; when contracted, shortly campanulate ; when ex-
tended, long and quadrangular, reaching nearly to a level with the ovaries. The mouth is
surrounded by four simple lanceolate lips.
Small as this pretty creature is, it is evidently adult, and presents its permanent characters.
When confined in a glass tube, filled with salt water, it resembles a miniature balloon moored
by five silken cables. I met with it in localities far apart, viz. off Brassay, and in Hamna Voe,
in Papa, both in the Zetland seas, in July 1845; and during the following month in the Sound
of Skye, among the Hebrides. All the specimens were alike. [I judged it to be adult, from
the defined and firm condition of the reproductive glands, and the microscopic structure of
the tentacles and their bulbs.
Plate X, f. 3, a, represents it of the size of nature; 3, b, magnified, with the tentacles
extended ; 3, c, seen from above, with the tentacles contracted; 3, d, the stomach extended ;
and 3, e, contracted ; 3,7; one of the reproductive glands.
** Marginal tentacles, eight.
4. Thaumantias octona, Forbes.
Plate VIII, Fig. 4.
The umbrella of this small and peculiar species, is only about two tenths of an inch in
height, globose, or sub-orbicular, smooth, and transparent. The margin presents the peculiar
feature of bearing eight exactly similar pinkish tentacles, springing from conspicuous, bright
yellow, bulbous bases, each bearing a defined red ocellus. In the marginal spaces, between
each pair of tentacles, are two colourless tubercles placed close together. These do not
appear ever to give rise to tentacula. The sub-umbrella is short compared with the umbrella,
and is hemispherical. In the course of the four vessels, which run to join the marginal
vessel opposite to the origins of four of the tentacles, are four small yellow or tawny ovate
ovaries, placed on the lower half of the sub-umbrella. The stomach is very small in proportion
to the size of the animal, rather elongated, and quadrangular in shape, of a yellowish or fawn
colour, with four minute black dots at its base. The four lips are short, acute, and triangular.
THAUMANTIAS MELANOPS. 45
Many specimens of all ages, all preserving the peculiar characters mentioned, occurred
at Tarbet, in Loch Fyne, in company with Zhaumantias quadrata, during the autumn of 1845.
We had previously taken it by the tow-net at Oban.
Plate VIII, fig. 4, aand 4, represent this species magnified, seen in profile and from above;
4, c, is an ovary; 4, d, the stomach; 4, e, part of the margin and tentacula; 4, J, the bulb
of one of the tentacles.
*** Marginal tentacles sixteen and upwards.
t Umbrella very convex or globose.
3. Thaumantias maculata, Forbes.
Plate IX, Fig. 4.
The umbrella of this very distinct species is globular, smooth, pellucid, and colourless.
The margin of its rather contracted opening is ornamented with sixteen jet-black ocelli,
(3 X4-+4), which are alternately larger and smaller, and all very conspicuous, and large in
proportion to the body. Between each of these is a small colourless tubercle. From each of
the ocelli springs a colourless tentacle. All the marginal tentacles are similar, and very
nearly of a size. The sub-umbrella is hemispherical, and divided into four equal segments
by the gastric vessels. On its lower half, in the course of the vessels, are four ovate repro-
ductive glands, pale, with yellow or tawny centres. From the centre of the sub-umbrella
hangs a short but wide campanulate stomach, with four broad, slightly fimbriated lips.
The four lips correspond in position to the four ovaries, and on the sides near the base of
the stomach, alternating with the lips, are four patches of black pigment-cells, giving the
centre of the animal, when seen from above, the appearance of being marked by four
conspicuous black spots. The black bulbs of the tentacles, when compressed and highly
magnified, are seen to be coloured by a crescentic series of black pigment-cells, forming the
ocellus, bounding a tawny space in which there is seen an otolitic capsule. The tentacula
themselves have a highly annulated appearance. The body measures about a quarter of an
inch in height. I have met with this curious 7kaumantias in the Zetland Islands only. It
occurred several times in the Sound of Brassay, but was never plentiful. The jet-black eyes
and stomachal spots render it a very striking object in the water.
Plate IX, f. 4, a, represents it rather more than twice the natural size; 4, 6, as seen from
above; 4, c, the ocellated bulbs; 4, d, the base and portion of a tentacle highly magnified,
showing the distinction between the ocellus and otolitic capsule in the bulb; 4, e, the stomach,
with its lips, spots, and the origins of the gastric vessels, seen from above; 4, ,/, one of the
reproductive glands.
6. Thaumantias melanops, Forbes.
Plate X, Fig. 3.
Another black-eyed beauty, though unarmed with such jetty piercing orbs as the sister
species last described. Instead of a few conspicuous ocelli, we have here an almost countless
number, all, however, of extreme minuteness. Argus, the hundred-eyed, must yield to our
Thaumantias, for it has twice as many.
The umbrella of the Zhaumantias melanops is sub-orbicular, inflated, very tender,
46 THAUMANTIAS GLOBOSA.
transparent, and smooth. Around its margin are ranged in close order more than 200
fine colourless tentacula, rmged and granulated, when highly magnified. At the base of each
is a very small but very black and well-defined ocellus. Round the inner margin of the
umbrella is a rather wide veil, which, instead of being borne horizontally in all the specimens
I met, was lax and dependent. The sub-umbrella is hemispherical, and divided into four equal
portions by the four radiating vessels, which traverse through the greater part of their courses -
four long, clavate, yellow, rather narrow, reproductive glands. I have represented an
appearance presented by one of these glands, as if of a much contorted tube within it. This
is probably of the male sex. From the centre of the sub-umbrella hangs the short and
very broad stomach, opening by four large, triangular, fimbriated lips. It is usually pale,
sometimes slightly tinged with yellow.
The umbrella of this species was often more than half an inch in breadth, and of the
same height. It has hitherto occurred only in the Zetland seas, and is not very common there.
Plate X, f, 3, a, represents the entire animal magnified; 3, 6, the stomach and lips ;
3, ¢, one of the reproductive glands, and some of the marginal tentacula (contracted), with
their ocelli; 3, d, one of the tentacula magnified when in extension.
7. Thaumantias globosa, Forbes.
Plate X, Fig. 4.
Umbrella globular, smooth, transparent, colourless, delicate. Margin with a rather close-
set fringe of tentacula. These are tinted with purplish-yellow, and when magnified, present
a ringed and granulated aspect. They are highly contractile, and very slender. They spring
from reniform tubercles of a pale yellow colour, with a crescentic ocellus formed of tawny
pigment-cells, inclosing a cavity in which a vibrating mass of otolites is plainly seen. The
tentacular bulbs are very large in proportion to the diameter of the tentacles. ‘The sub-
umbrella is small as compared with the body; it is intersected by the four radiating vessels,
which traverse in that part of their course nearest the margin four lax, more or less reniform,
reproductive glands, firmer and more defined in form, being ovate, in the females. They are
pale yellow in the males, tinged with tawny in the females. The gastric vessels present a
knob-like enlargement at the point of their union with the marginal vessels. Here and there
among the tentacles are little colourless tubercles studding the margin. The number of the
former in a large specimen was 7 x4-++4; in a small one 3xX4+4. They evidently increase
with age. The stomach is very short, of a pale yellow colour, and bordered by four lanceolate
furbelowed lips. The umbrella, in well-grown specimens, measures about half an inch across.
This delicate species is very abundant in the harbours of both sides of the Zetland Isles,
usually in company with Thaumantias hemispherica and T. pilosella. It has a remarkable
habit of crumpling up, as it were, its tentacula into a confused mass. When very young, as
represented at fig. 4, ¢, of plate X, it often extends its tentacles to a great length, and the
reproductive glands appear of disproportionate size. Plate X, fig.4, a and 4, represent its adult
state, magnified ; 4, d, is the stomach and lips; 4, e, the reproductive gland of a male; 4,7,
an ovary full of eggs; 4, g, a quarter of the margin, with the tentacular bulbs; 4, 2 (marked
e by mistake in the plate), a tentacle-bulb greatly magnified, showing the ocellus, the otolitic
capsule, and the structure of the tentacle.
THAUMANTIAS PILEATA. A7
8. Thaumantias convexa, Forbes.
Plate XI, Fig. 6.
Umbrella very convex, but not globose, smooth, transparent, colourless. Margin fringed
* with twenty (4x4-++-4) ringed and granulated colourless tentacula, springing from as many
tubercles, each pinkish, with a small red ocellus. Between each pair of tentacular bulbs a
smaller coloured tubercle, without any tentacle, is placed. The sub-umbrella is large, and very
convex. The radiating vessels which divide it, run in the course of four ovate, or rather
paddle-shaped, yellow ovaries, placed very near the margin. The stomach is short and
narrow, yellow, and terminated by four lanceolate yellow lips, the margins of which are
slightly fimbriated. The height of the umbrella is about one fourth of an inch. This
Thaumantias is a very common species in the Zetland seas, and among the Hebrides. We
have taken it at Oban. It is an active little animal, and very tenacious of life.
Plate XI, fig. 6, @ and 4, represent it as seen in profile, and from above; 6, ¢, is an
ovary and base of a tentacle; 6, d, part of the margin with tentacula.
9. Thaumantias gibbosa, Forbes.
Plate XI, Fig. 3.
This curious and very distinct species, which I have hitherto only met with once, has an
oblong conical umbrella, not contracted below, smooth, and colourless. The margin bears
twenty-eight (64-+-4) pink tentacula, which, in the specimen taken, were habitually borne
coiled up. They spring from red ocellated tubercles. The sub-umbrella is very convex ;
in the course of the four radiating vessels which intersect it, are as many long, linear, pale
rose-coloured ovaries, reaching almost to the margin. From the summit of the sub-umbrella
hangs a quadrangular, narrow, rather long stomach, opening by four triangular simple lips.
The body is about a quarter of an inch in length.
Thaumantias gibbosa was taken in the Hebrides. Circumstances at the time prevented
such a minute examination of it as so curious a form deserved. It cannot, however, be
mistaken for any other species described in this work or elsewhere, and I hope some future
observer will seek for and re-examine it.
Plate XI, f. 3, a, represents the body in profile magnified; 3, b, as seen from above;
3, c, two of the tentacula; 3, d,the stomach and mouth.
++ Umbrella much depressed.
10. Thaumantias pileata, Forbes (1841).
Plate XI, Rig. 2.
E. Forbes, in Annals of Natural History, April, 1841, p. 84, pl. 1, fig. 3.
Umbrella smooth, transparent, pellucid, shaped like a Chinese hat, being prominent and
conical in the centre, depressed and extended at the circumference. Margin bordered by
twenty (44-4) filiform, colourless tentacles, springing from ocellated bulbs, coloured black
48 THAUMANTIAS SARNICA.
and yellow. Stomach short, with proportionally large, triangular, sharp lips. Ovaries
oblong, yellow, placed rather more than half way down the pileated sub-umbrella. Breadth
nearly an inch.
This pretty species was taken by Mr. Smith and myself, at Port Rush, on the north coast
of Ireland, in June, 1839.
Plate XI, fig. 2, a, represents it of the usual size; 2, b, magnified, as seen in profile ; *
2, c, as seen from above ; 2, e, an ovary; and 2, d, the stomach and lips.
11. Thaumantias lineata, Forbes.
Plate XI, Fig. 1.
This is rather a large species of its division, measuring nearly an inch across the umbrella,
which is much depressed, sub-hemispherical, smooth, colourless, and tender. The margin
bears thirty-six (8 x4-++-4) filiform, transparent tentacles, sprmging from as many very small
yellowish tubercles, with minute red ocelli. The sub-umbrella is elevated, as compared with
the umbrella. It is bounded below by a rather broad veil, and divided by four radiating
vessels ; in the second third of the length of these are seen the linear, yellow, reproductive
glands. The stomach is quadrangular, small, and very short, campanulate, with four fim-
briated lips.
Taken in the Zetland seas in 1846, but not found common.
Plate XI, f. 1, a, represents it as seen in profile of the natural size; 1, b, magnified, and
viewed from above; 1 ¢, an ovary; 1, d, two of the tentacles at their origins. with their
bulbs.
12. Thaumantias Sarnica, Forbes (1841).
Plate XI, Fig. 4.
E. Forbes, in Annals of Natural History, April, 1841, p. 84, pl. 1, fig. 6.
Umbrella hemispherical, regularly convex, smooth, transparent, and colourless ; margin
with twenty (44-+4) transparent tentacles, with colourless bases, which do not present
conspicuous eyes. Sub-umbrella rather convex, divided by the four radiating vessels. In
the lower half of the course of the latter, occupying nearly one half their length, are the linear
or slightly clavate, bluish, reproductive glands. ‘The stomach is of the same hue, and is small,
quadrangular, with four, rather large, simple, triangular lips. Breadth about half an inch,
or rather more.
I took this apparently distinct species between Guernsey and the Island of Herm,
in the autumn of 1839. It is very closely allied to Zhkawmantias pileata—perhaps too
closely. ‘
Plate XI, fig. 4, a and 6, represents it as seen from one side, and from above; 4, ¢, is
the stomach and lips; 4, d, an ovary.
THAUMANTIAS HEMISPH MRICA. 49
13. Thaumantias Thompsoni, Forbes (1841).
Plate XI, Fig. 5.
E. Forbes, in Annals of Natural History, April, 1841, p. 88, pl. 1, f. 6.
Among the most phosphorescent of the smaller Medusze on the coast of Cornwall, and
elsewhere in the south, is a little Thawmantias, which several years ago (in 1840) was met
with, for the first time, by Mr. W. Thompson, Mr. R. Ball, and myself, in Clifden and
Roundstone Bays, on the coast of Connemara, in Ireland. When irritated, it gives out a
brilliant light from the bulbs of its tentacula.
The umbrella of Thaumantias Thompsoni is hemispherical and rather depressed, smooth
and colourless. It measures about a quarter of an inch across. Round its margin are sixteen
(3X4-+-4) white tentacula, springing from rather large yellow tubercles, each bearing a very
small, dark red or nearly black ocellus. These tentacles, when highly magnified, appear
annulated, and their bulbs distinctly exhibit an ocellus separate from an otolitic mass. The
sub-umbrella is rather more depressed than the umbrella. On its sides, rather more than
half way down, are the four reproductive glands, ovate, and of a clear yellow colour. In the
centre is the small, rather slender, quadrangular stomach, also yellow; it terminates in four
triangular lips, margined with a thick band of fibrous cells.
Plate XI, f. 5, a and 4, represents this species magnified ; 5, e, one of the ovaries full of
egg, and the bulb of a tentacle, greatly magnified ; 5, d, part of the margin with three ten-
tacula; 5, e, a lip, with its border of fibrous cells.
14. Thaumantias hemispherica (sp.), Miller (1776).
Plate VIII, Fig. 2.
Synonyms. Medusa hemispherica. Gronovius, Acta Helv., 438, t. iv, f. 37 (1760).
O. F. Miiller, Prod. Faun. Dan., No. 2822 (1776).
——— O. F.‘Miiller, Zool. Dan., pl. 7, f. 1-4 (1788),
(fig. Cop. in Enc. Meth., pl. 93, f. 8-10.)
——— Lin., Syst. Nat. Cur. Gmelin, p. 1098 (1789).
——— Modeer, Kong. Vet. Ac. Nya Kand. vol. xii,
p- 251 (1791.)
Oceania hemispherica. Peron, Ann. de Mus., vol. xiv, p. 347 (1809).
Medusa hemispherica, var. lucida. Macartney, Phil. Trans. (1810),
p- 264, pl. 14, f. 3.
Geryonia hemispherica. Fleming, Brit. Animals, p. 500 (1828).
Thaumantias hemispherica. Eschscholtz, Syst. der Acal., p. 103 (1829).
Blainville, Man. d’Act., p. 285 (1834).
SSS=5 (Lamarck), An. sans Vert., 2d Ed.,
p. 162 (1840).
Medusa (Geryonia) hemispherica. Thompson, Annals of Nat. Hist.
vol. v, p. 248 (1840).
Thaumantias hemispherica. Wesson, Acal., p. 335 (1843).
~
50 THAUMANTIAS HEMISPH ARICA.
It is very probable that, under the name of “ Medusa hemispherica,” the older and most
of the more recent writers on Acalephe confounded many, or at least more than one, species
of Thaumantias ; and, as very few of their notices extend to more than characters obvious at
first glance, and common to a majority of members of the genus, it is difficult or impossible to
ascertain what form or forms were meant when the name in question was cited. The figures
given by Miller and Gronovius were evidently at such times borne in mind; but, as
the importance of ascertaining the number and structure of the bulbous bases of the
tentacula was not understood by any of the naturalists from whom I have given citations,
unless Peron and Lesson be excepted, the reference to those figures cannot be received
without suspicion.
I feel sure that the animal I am about to describe and figure as Thaumantias
hemispherica, is identical with that which was delineated by Miller in the Zoologia Danica,
and clearly characterised by Peron, whose description, which [ here cite, applies to no other, and
was probably drawn up after a study of Miiller’s account and figure, for the French naturalist
gives no other locality than “ des cotes de Danemarck.” He characterises the species thus :
“un ombrelle hémisphérique, déprimé 4 son centre; ovaires pédicellés et claviformes ; rebord
entier, garni de trente-deux tentacules trés-courts et de trente-deux petites glandes ; ombrelle
eris-bleuatre, parsemé de petits points plus gris; ovaires jaunitres, glandes marginales rouge ;
1 centimetre.” The short diagnosis of Eschscholtz, “canalibus versus marginem disci
clavatis,” founded on his misapprehension of the nature of the reproductive organs, would
apply equally well to half the allied species here described, and his account of the number of
marginal tentacles, “ihr Rand ist mit 16 bis 24 kurzen Fangfiden besetzt,” leaves us in no
more certain position. The tentacles, however, as I have found by examination of very
numerous specimens, do vary greatly in the several stages of the animal’s growth, though I
have never seen them fewer than twenty. When full grown, the number is, as Peron has
stated, thirty-six. This variation of number of tentacles with age is seen in several species of
Thaumantias, especially in those with depressed umbrellas. Many species, however, present
exactly the same number in their earliest and their oldest stages. Fortunately, the large
conspicuous red or orange ocelli, and brightly coloured claviform reproductive glands, afford
features combined with form, which will always enable us to recognise the true Zaumantias
hemispherica without much difficulty.
The individuals which I have examined in Zetland, where they abound in the bays and
harbours, have a hemispheric, slightly depressed, transparent, smooth umbrella, sometimes
measuring nearly three fourths of an inchacross. The margin in adult specimens usually
bears thirty-two (sometimes more) tentacles, springing from as many large tubercle-like ocelli,
which are vividly coloured with orange and red, and when magnified, are seen to present a
small black dot. The formula for the ocelli and tentacles in the adult is probably 7x4-+-4.
The tentacles are composed of granular tissue ; they are often carried short, not by contrac-
tion, but by coiling up in a spiral. The sub-umbrella is moderately convex, and divided
by the four gastric vessels, which pass in the lower half of their courses through four
linear, claviform, purplish or yellowish ovaries, marked with purple or orange lmes. The
stomach is short, rather broad, purplish, or tinged with pink, termimating in four lanceolate
fimbriated lips.
The abundance of individuals of this species in all stages of growth enabled me, when
‘
THAUMANTIAS HEMISPHARICA. 51
in the Zetland Isles, to observe the mode of formation of their tentacula, a point of considerable
physiological importance. The results may be summed up as follows :—
Ist stage. The first indication of the tentacle is in the form of a minute lobe at the
margin of the body, in the immediate neighbourhood, and in contact with the motor band and
marginal vessel.
2d. This lobe becomes a closed cell, which then rapidly enlarges in every direction, but
chiefly superiorly and inferiorly.
3d. It next presents a contraction, which is the commencement of its division into two
cells, the superior being largest.
4th. The inferior cell grows rapidly, and divides itself into two, the lowermost of which
does the same, and this process is continued until the tentacle has elongated considerably in
one direction. In the mean time the superior vesicle of all enlarges, but does not divide. All
present the aspect of nucleated cells.
5th. The partitions between the cells begin to be lined with minute, translucent granules,
which give the tentacula a moniliform aspect; and from this time those organs become con-
tractile.
6th. The minute translucent granules (which are themselves cells of a secondary order)
multiply until they fill up the primary cells, and give the tentacula the aspect of homogeneous
bodies, composed of highly contractile granular tissue.
7th. When the tentacle has far advanced towards its perfect state, the bulb-like vesicle
at its base also begins to be filled with granular tissue, many of the minute cells of which
become pigment-cells.
8th. In the middle of this mass of cells, one cell appears larger than the last, and which,
mcreasing with great rapidity, divides in the end the mass of mute secondary cells into two
pad-like bodies, constituting together the conspicuous ocellus.
9th. When this division has taken place, there appears in the central cell a new and free
mass of minute cells, in which are secreted crystals (of carbonate of lime). These are the
otolites. The tentacle is now complete.
The 7haumantias hemispherica is an active little animal, gregarious. It is exceedingly
tenacious of life, as the tortures to which it was submitted by Dr. Macartney, quoted in my
mtroductory remarks, show. It is very abundant in the Zetland seas, and occurs also in the
east and west sides of the mainland of Scotland. It is also, according to Mr. W. Thompson,
found onthe north coast of Ireland. ‘“ In October, 1838, 1 obtained one of these Meduse in
Belfast Bay, and a day or two afterwards many specimens were brought to me by Mr.
Hyndman from the same locality ; in size they rather exceed Miiller’s, measuring five lines in
diameter in their most depressed state. Mr. R. Patterson informs me that he obtained the
M. hemispheriea at Larne, m the summer of 1835.”
Plate VIII, f. 2, a, represents this species seen in profile, magnified; 2, 6, seen from
above, a very large specimen (too many tentacles and tubercles are introduced in the figure,
by mistake) ; 2, e, is one of the reproductive glands; 2, d, those of the tentacles and their
bulbs.
52 THAUMANTIAS LUCIFERA.
15. Thaumantias inconspicua, Forbes.
Plate VIII, Fig. 3.
A very delicate, and rather large species, measuring usually about three fourths of an
inch across. Its umbrella is hemispherical, smooth, and colourless. The margin bears from
sixteen to twenty colourless tentacles springing from pale yellow, inconspicuous bulbs, each
tinged with a faint tawny spot. Between each pair there is a rudimentary marginal tubercle.
The sub-umbrella is much more depressed than the umbrella; its opening is bordered by a
rather broad veil. The ovaries are long and linear, and of a faint lilac or greenish hue,
with a central fulvous line. They occupy more than half the course of each radiating vessel.
The stomach is narrow, quadrangular, and of a yellow colour. It terminates in four lan-
ceolate lips. The inconspicuous ocelli and pale reproductive glands easily distinguish this
species from its congeners. It is common in the Hebrides.
Plate VIII, fig. 3, a and 4, represent it magnified as seen from the side, and from above;
3, ¢, is an ovary; 3, d, a portion of the margin, showing the tentacular bulbs, and the inter-
mediate tubercles.
16. Thaumantias lucifera, Forbes.
Plate X, Fig. 2 (under the name of 7. lucida).
This minute and curious Medusa is one of the most phosphorescent of all the naked-eyed
species. Small as it is, I have not seen it more than one fifth of an inch across; it presents
such very distinct characters, that I do not hesitate to describe and name it as a separate
species, although specimens presenting truly adult characters have not as yet occurred.
The umbrella is very much depressed, smooth, and transparent. The margin is fringed
with a close-set series of tentacula, of which I reckoned no fewer than eighty-four (20 x 4-+-4)
in several examples, but very small specimens had rather fewer of these organs. Their bases
present a very minute ocellus, and there is a club-shaped, transparent organ, projecting, as it
were, into the umbrella above it. This is probably the auditory vesicle in an early stage of
development. The structure of the tentacles also indicates an immature condition of the
tissues. The sub-umbrella is rather high in proportion to the umbrella. On its lower half
are the four reproductive glands, sub-orbicular, lax, and yellow. The stomach is rather large,
quadrangular, yellow, with imperfectly developed lips, whose margins are not fimbriated.
I have met with this species in Zetland and the Hebrides, and in vast abundance off the
Lizard Point, on the coast of Cornwall; also at Dartmouth, and in the west bay of Portland.
When swimming, it carries its tentacula stiffly, and at nearly a right angle with the body.
The Thaumantias plana of Sars (Beskrivelser og Jagtagelser, p. 28, pl. 5, fig. 13) bears a
close resemblance to it, and is of the same size, but the tentacula are described as being more
than one hundred in number. It is also evidently an immature species. The only other
described form of Thawmantias with a depressed umbrella, and very numerous tentacles, is
the 7. multicirrata of Sars (Op. cit. p. 26, pl. 5, fig. 12), but that has linear or clavate
ovaries, more than 200 tentacles, and very few and distinct ocelli in proportion to the number
SLABBERIA HALTERATA. 53
of tentacula. Both these species of Sars are from the coast of Norway, and will very pro-
bably be found hereafter in Zetland and on the coast of Scotland.
Plate X, fig. 2, a, represents the Zhaumantias lucifera of the natural size ; 2, b, as seen
from above; and 2, ¢, in profile, much magnified; 2, e, the stomach; and 2, /, its mouth ;
2, g, one of the tentacles with its bulb and vesicle ; 2, d, an ovary.
The name Zhaumantias lucida has been adopted by Lesson for Macartney’s animal,
under the impression that the latter was intended to be distinct from 7! hemispherica.
17. Thaumantias punctata, Forbes (1841).
Plate X, Fig. 1.
E. Forbes, in Annals of Natural History, vol. vii, p. 85, pl. 1, fig. 5 (1841).
The last of the species of Thaumantias which I have to describe, is one of which I gave
an account some years ago in the ‘Annals of Natural History,’ under the name of Thaumantias
punctata.
The umbrella is hemispherical, and rather depressed, smooth, and colourless. Its margin
is bordered by thirty-two filiform, colourless tentacula, each with a rather swollen bulbous
base, marked by a dark, almost black, ocellus. The sub-umbrella is convex, and divided into
four parts by the radiating vessels which traverse, on its lower half, four short, linear, purplish
ovaries. The stomach is very small, and purplish. It terminates in four short lips. This is
a large species, measuring nearly an inch in diameter. It occurred abundantly off the Isle of
Man, where it was taken in the month of June, 1839, by Professor Goodsir, Mr. Henry
Goodsir, and myself. I regret not having encountered it since, as it requires to be submitted
to more minute observation than time then permitted.
Plate X, f. 1, a and 4, represents this species magnified, in profile, and seen from above;
c, is the stomach ; and d, a tentacle with its bulb.
Genus XII. SxapsBertia, Forbes (1846).
Umbrella campanulate ; ovaries four, linear, in the course of the four simple,
gastro-vascular canals; peduncle proboscidiform, highly extensile, oral orifice
circular; a marginal tentacle springing from an ocellated bulb, and terminating
in a coloured globular body, placed opposite each of the gastro-vascular canals,
Slabberia halterata, Forbes.
Plate VI, Fig. 1.
Umbrella deeply campanulate, smooth, colourless ; sub-umbrella large, divided into equal
parts by four simple vessels, which open into a circular marginal vessel. On the upper third
of the sub-umbrella are seen in the course of the vessels four small linear ovaries or reproductive
_glands, pointed at each end. The border of the general cavity is provided with a shelf-like
veil. The tentacula are strong, four in number, and colourless, except at their bases and lips.
54 SLABBERIA HALTERATA.
The bulbs at their bases are more or less triangular, coloured above with bright verdigris
green, and across the centre with a band of deep orange, below which, on the root as it were
of the tentacle, is seen a conspicuous and rather large jet-black ocellus. The extremity of
each tentacle is likewise swollen into a bulb, which is of a rich orange hue. From the centre
of the sub-umbrella hangs a long and highly extensile peduncle or stomach, capable of being
contracted entirely within the general cavity, but more usually elongated beyond the length of
the tentacula. It is of a denser tissue than the other parts, and terminates in a circular
orifice. The termination is not unfrequently swollen into the shape of a bell. The summit
projects slightly above the surface of the sub-umbrella. The diameter of the disk does not
exceed one eighth of an inch.
This curious Medusa was observed in August, 1836, in Mount’s Bay, Cornwall, where
ereat numbers of them were taken. It swims with its four tentacles either stretched out
straight, or at a slight angle, and as if quite stiff, so that they seem with their loaded extremities
to serve as poisers. The brilliant terminal bulbs, following at equal distances the conspicuous
ocellated bulbs of their bases, give the creature a very striking aspect, and at first glance
seem as if they belonged to two Medusz, one of which had partially enveloped the other.
The Slabberia halterata is a very active, and apparently hardy little animal. This remarkable
combination of characters, and the features quite peculiar to itself, render it well worthy of
generic distinction. The position and form of its ovaries indicate a relationship with Thau-
mantias, whilst the peduncle is that of a Sarsia. It thus links together genera, which, were
it not for such a connecting form, would seem to be far apart. I have dedicated the genus to
Martin Slabber, an ingenious Dutchman, who amused himself with the microscope, and
published an account of his observations at Haarlem, in 1778. He was one of the first to
direct attention to the minuter forms of Medusze inhabiting the German Ocean, and therefore
has good claim to preside over a sound generic group.
Plate VI, f. 1, a, represents Slabberia halterata of the natural size; 1, 6, magnified ;
1, c, disposition of vessels and ovaries, as seen from above; 1, d, ovary; 1, e, a tentacle
with its bulbs; 1,,f, proboscis when most dilated.
SARSIA DAL.
Genus XIII. Sarsra, Lesson (1843).
Umbrella hemispherical ; radiating vessels four, simple; no conspicuous ovaries ,
four marginal tentacles opposite the point at which the radiating vessel joins the
marginal one; ocelli four, more or less conspicuous ; stomach in a very extensile,
cylindrical, proboscidiform peduncle, with a simple orifice.
This genus was instituted by Lesson for a very remarkable Medusa discovered by the
eminent naturalist of Norway, whose name it bears—a philosopher who, pursuing his re-
searches far away from the world, buried among the grand solitudes of his magnificent
country, where the pursuit of science is his recreation, and the holy offices of religion his
sacred duty, has nevertheless gained name and fame wherever the study of nature is followed.
The unpretending writings of this parish priest have become models for the essays of learned
professors in foreign lands, and his discoveries the texts of long commentaries by experienced
physiologists. The French naturalist, in seeking to be the first to honour the name of Sars,
has done himself honour by his recognition of high and modest merit. With peculiar
pleasure, therefore, do I offer a testimony to the value and permanency of the genus before
us, by announcing three very distinct species additional to the only recorded type, con-
firmatory of the excellence of its constitution.
1. Sarsia tubulosa (sp.), Sars (1835).
Plate VI, Fig. 2.
Synonyms. Oceania tubulosa. Sars, Besk. og. Jagt., p. 25, pl. 5, fig. 11 (1835).
Thompson, Ann. N. H., vol. v, p. 249 (1840).
Dujardin, in 2d Ed., Lamarck, An. s. Vert., t. 111,
p. 165 (1840).
Sarsia tubulosa. Lesson, Acaleph., p. 333 (1843).
This is the type of the genus. The umbrella, which is sometimes nearly an inch in
length, is smooth, colourless, and of an oblong hemispherical shape. Its margin bears four
equidistant tubercles, of a bluish or purplish colour, each marked with a well-defined dark
ocellus. From each tubercle arises a tentacle, lilac, or greenish, or blue, extremely extensile,
often elongated to three times the length of the body. The structure when magnified is seen
to be moniliform and granular. The sub-umbrella is hemispheric and very convex, divided
into four equal parts by as many radiating simple vessels, which join the marginal vessel
56 SARSIA TUBULOSA.
opposite the bases of the tentacula. The margin of the sub-umbrella is bounded by a rather
broad membranous veil. From its centre hangs the long, cylindrical, fleshy, proboscidiform
peduncle, of a blue or lilac, sometimes greenish colour, and fleshy substance. It is highly
contractile, being often extended, like a long tube, so as to be twice the length of the body ;
sometimes contracted within the bell, and then assuming a bottle shape; the central part
being inflated, and suspended by a slender portion formed by its base. Its fixed point rises
conically for a little way above the summit of the sub-umbrella. The free extremity is more
or less claviform, and terminates in a round or indistinctly four-lobed orifice, the lips of which
are sometimes everted. The vessels do not appear to run down the peduncle, the interior of
which is occupied throughout by the stomach.
In a note, communicated by my friend Mr. Patterson, he describes the tentacular bulbs,
in some specimens met by him at Larne, as exhibiting brilliant crimson ocelli. and the central
peduncle as of a dirty pinkish yellow, with a bright crimson spot at its junction with the body.
“The peduncle,” he writes, “was ever changing its form; sometimes flung out beyond the
body, and then becoming proportionally thin.” The animals were from a quarter to three eighths
of an inch in length, and other specimens afterwards taken measured two, five, and seven lines
in the body. The tentacula extended so much, that on one occasion they measured two inches
and a half, by a rule applied to the sides of the glass jar in which they were confined.
In his “ Additions to the Fauna of Ireland,” published in the ‘ Annals of Natural History’
for 1840, Mr. W. Thompson has the following note respecting this species, in which it was
first announced as a British animal, though, as I have remarked before, when describing
Oceania turrita, it is probable that the Peliscelotus vitreus of Templeton, figured in the
ninth volume of Loudon’s ‘ Magazine of Natural History,’ was our Sarsza turned inside out.
“April 11, 1840. I had the satisfaction to-day of identifying with the Oceania (?) tubulosa
of Sars a Medusa of which several individuals were brought to me by Mr. Hyndman, just
after their capture in Belfast Bay. On calling the attention of Mr. R. Patterson to them, a
reference to his notes on Medusz showed that he had procured the same species at Larne,
county Antrim, in May 1835, and June 1838; and again at Bangor, county Down, in July
1839. As my friend could not find the species described—Sars’s work he had not, for
reference—he drew up a detailed and interesting account of the animal, accompanied by several
characteristic sketches of it in various positions. Having remarked that one of my specimens,
which was in a phial containing one ounce and a half of sea-water, appeared as lively after
four days’ captivity as at first, although the fluid had not been changed, nor any nutriment
added, I, before leaving home for some days, handed it over to Mr. Patterson, that
the period the animal would live, under such circumstances, might be noted. From him I
learn that this individual lived thus for twelve days (from the 18th to the 30th of April) and
that for the first ten, it retained its ordinary vivacity.” (Thompson, loc. cit., p. 249.)
The first time I had the pleasure of seeing this elegant little Medusa, was at Scalloway,
in Zetland, where it was taken by Professor Goodsir and myself in 1839. During the month
of June in the same year, I met with it again abundantly when dredging with Mr. Smith of
Jordanhill, in the Kyles of Bute. On visiting Zetland in 1845, in company with Mr.
Mac Andrew, we found it very abundant in the bays and harbours on both east and west coasts.
Some we took at Hillswick were exceedingly lively and active, swimming obliquely through the
water with great rapidity. Being kept in a jar of salt water with small crustacea, they
SARSIA GEMMIFERA. 57
devoured these animals, so much more highly organized than themselves, voraciously ; appa-
rently enjoying the destruction of the unfortunate members of the upper classes with a truly
democratic relish. One of them even attacked and commenced the swallowing of a Lizzxia
octopunctata, quite as good a Medusa as itself. An animal which can pout out its mouth
twice the length of its body, and stretch its stomach to corresponding dimensions, must indeed
be “a triton among the minnows,” and a very terrific one too. Yet is this ferocious creature
one of the most delicate and graceful of the inhabitants of the ocean—a very model of ten-
derness and elegance.
Plate VI, fig. 2, a, represents the Sarsia tubulosa of natural size; 2, 6, magnified ;
2, c, a tentacle, bulb, and ocellus; 2, d, the peduncle retracted and inflated.
2. Sarsia pulchella, Forbes.
Plate VI, Fig. 3.
A much smaller species than the last ; none of the specimens which I have met exceeding
a quarter of an inch in length of body. The umbrella is sub-orbicular, and very convex,
transparent, colourless, and smooth. The margin is quadrate, each angle bearing a large
ocellated tubercle, from which a rather thick tentacle sprigs. The tentacle is of a pale pink
colour; the tubercle at its base transparent, with a mass of pink or orange pigment-cells at
its upper part, from which depends a brilliant green pedicle, with a jet-black ocellus at its
extremity. The sub-umbrella is prominent, and rather conic. Down its sides run the four
gastric vessels, coloured pale pmk. Round its opening is a four-lobed veil. From its centre
hangs the proboscidiform peduncle, which is rarely protruded beyond the umbrella, and more
frequently contracted into various flask-like shapes. Its point of affixment rises as a short
pink cone above the sub-umbrella; its orifice is round. It is of a brownish-red colour, with
a green-tinged oral extremity.
It is a very active animal, and very tenacious of life. It never extends its tentacula so
far as the preceding species, and often carries them coiled up spirally. I found several
specimens in Brassay Sound, Zetland, in 1845.
Plate VI, fig. 3, a, represents this species of the natural size; 3, 6, magnified; 3, ¢, the
bulb of a tentacle; 3, d, a tentacle coiled up.
3. Sarsia gemmifera, Forbes.
Plate VII, Fig. 2.
The very remarkable animal which I have now to describe, was discovered in the Zetland
seas by Mr. M‘Andrew and myself in 1845: several specimens were taken. It was the first
Sarsia which we found exhibiting a distinct mode of reproduction, and that by gemmation
from the walls of the peduncle.
The Sarsia gemmifera is a very small species, scarcely a quarter of an inch in length of
body. Its umbrella is pyriform, smooth, and colourless. The aperture of it is rather con-
tracted and quadrangular. At each angle there is a conspicuous ocellated tubercle of a pear
shape, its upper part pale tawny, its middle dark orange, and its base colourless, with a well-
defined, jet-black ocellus. Round the orifice of the sub-umbrella, which is pyriform, is a four-
8
58 SARSIA GEMMIFERA.
lobed veil, festooning, as it were, the spaces between the ocellated tubercles. From each of
the latter arises a tentacle, rather short, thick, cylindrical, moniliformly granulated, and of an
orange colour. Each tentacle is placed opposite the point at which one of the four gastric
vessels joins the marginal one. From the centre of the sub-umbrella is suspended the
peduncle, perforating its summit, and terminating there in a small conical process of granular
tissue. The peduncle is shorter than the umbrella, but may be extended slightly beyond it.
It is slender, cylindrical, and tubular, but is capable of changing form greatly, and often
swells out into a club- or bottle-shaped extremity, ending in the mouth, which is round. The
peduncle is of an orange colour, like the tentacles, but much paler.
The peduncle presented the appearance of being ramified, or rather pmnated, variously-
shaped processes projecting from the sides. When several individuals were compared, it was
found that these pinnations did not correspond, and a closer inquiry made it evident that they
were in reality young individuals, in various stages of development, budding from the pedun-
cular tissue. They are not distributed over its surface in any regular order according to their
degree of advancement, but intermingled, as may be seen in the much magnified representation
of the peduncle in an individual, different from that which is drawn entire. (See 2, e, and
compare it with 2,6.) At the same time there is an indistinct spiral arrangement to be
observed, and the peduncle has a tendency to assume angular bendings at the points from
which the buds spring. The earliest stages of one of these buds is that which I have
represented at 2, 7, where the tissue of the surface of the peduncle simply bulges out as a
small wart, whilst there is a corresponding indentation in the tubular cavity beneath. This
indentation increases with the growth of the wart, which takes upon itself a club shape, and,
at the same time, there is a notch-like appearance towards the base at the upper part of the
club (2, g’). In a stage more advanced, the club begins to assume a globular form, and the
excavation, if anything, decreases, not projecting beyond the notch, but a new cavity has
appeared independently within the club, and has possibly been formed by the division of the
old cavity into two parts, and the isolation of its upper part (2,2). In the stage represented
at 2, 2, the development has advanced rapidly; the club begins to present a four-lobed aspect,
and the internal cavity has greatly enlarged. An assemblage of small dots, mdicative of an
ocellus, appears opposite each lobe. After this it would appear, that correspondent with the
increase of the lobes, is the opening of the cavity and the formation of a peduncle ; for, in the
highest condition of these gemmz which I have had an opportunity of examining, the bud
presents the appearance of a little bell (3, 4), open, and having a rudimentary proboscis
within it; the lobes are much more elongated, and at their bases are seen not only the little
ocelli present in the last stage described, but others below them of a jet-black colour. It is
evident that the former are the orange portions of the tentacular bulbs, and the latter, the
black ocelli beneath them, whilst the lobes, which have already become of a conspicuous
orange colour (as well as the peduncle), are the tentacles in course of development. The
four gastric vessels are also now manifest, so that we have a young Sarsia nearly ready to
drop from its parent, and shift for itself.
Plate VII, fig. 2, a, represents this interesting animal of the natural size; 2, b, the same,
magnified; 2, c, the summit of the peduncle; 2, d, a tentacular bulb with its ocelli; 2, e, the
peduncle of another individual, with its bulbs; and 2, f to 2, &, the various stages of develop-
ment of the buds as just described.
SARSIA PROLIFERA. 59
4. Sarsia prolifera, Forbes.
Plate VII, Fig. 3.
Equally remarkable with the Medusa I have just described is that now before us—indeed
more so, for the last was an instance of gemmation from the peduncle, a phenomenon, as we
shall hereafter see, previously discovered by Sars in another genus (Zizsta); but in Sarsia
prolifera we have gemmation from the tentacular bulbs, an entirely new and most remarkable
mode of reproduction.
On the 21st of August, 1846, we found great numbers of minute Medusze in Penzance
Bay. Among them was one which, whilst it presented the simple cylindrical proboscis and
four tentacula of a Sarsia, differed from all the members of that genus hitherto seen, in having
-at the base of each tentacle a supplementary bulb, or a bunch of little tubercles suspended
like a bunch of grapes. Fortunately, individuals of this curious little creature—it is even less
than the last species—were plentiful, so that we were soon enabled to unriddle the anomaly
by a careful examination of numerous specimens under the microscope. The supplementary
bulbs and grape-like tubercles proved to be young Sarsie, sprouting by gemmation from the
‘bases of the tentacula.
The Sarsia prolifera is a very delicate little animal, so faintly coloured as to be incon-
spicuous in the water, in that respect differmg from the other members of its genus.
Its umbrella is campanulate, and somewhat inclined to a sub-globose form, smooth, and
colourless.
The opening of it is quadrangular, the spaces between the angles curtained by a veil, the
angles themselves bearing each a pale yellow tentacular bulb, marked with a minute black
ocellus. From the four bulbs spring as many pale yellow, moniliformly-granulated, slender,
coiling tentacula. The sub-umbrella occupies about two thirds of the length of the umbrella,
and to about a third of its length is suspended the pale yellow tubular peduncle, which is very
changeable in form, sometimes inflating itself into a bottle-shape, but apparently never
protruded beyond the umbrella. Its summit projects slightly above the sub-umbrella; its
orifice is round, and bounded by a highly contractile rim of fibrous cells.
In every specimen we found a different arrangement or degree of development of the
little buds at the bases of the tentacula; and not only did each individual differ from the
other, but rarely were the arrangements of the germs at the bases of the four tentacles alike
in the same example. I have accordingly figured the four bunches of a single specimen to
show how they differ, and what the nature of the curious bud-like bodies is.
In fig. 3, e, all the buds are in a low state of advancement; the bulging above the
coloured ocellus indicates the lowest and most rudimentary stage, corresponding to the wart-
like condition described in the account of the buds in the peduncle of Sarsia gemmifera.
To the left of the ocellus, a bud more advanced, and exhibiting traces of an interior cavity, is
seen, and dependent from the bulb at its right side is a gemmule already presenting traces of
lobation. In fig. 3, g, these two stages are repeated, with the advance in one that four
dark masses of pigment-cells indicate the bases of the rudimentary tentacula, and the formation
of ocelli. In fig. 3, 2, whilst two of the gemme are rudimentary, a third shows not only
ocelli, but the tentacula distinctly in course of formation, as yet, however, folded in. In 3, /,
60 SARSIA PROLIFERA.
one of the gemme has attained a stage of development far beyond that of the other children
of its parent, for it has assumed a distinct campanulate form ; its sub-umbrella is lneated by
the gastro-vascular canals ; its tentacular bulbs are defined, and separated from the margin,
and present large and conspicuous ocelli, and its tentacles have assumed a definite form and
ample dimensions. The whole hangs by a very short and slender peduncle to the tentacular
bulb, which exhibits besides three other buds in early stages of development, ready to advance
when the firstborn of the parent finger has loosened its ties, and embarked on a free voyage
of its own. A youthful Sarsta, which has just cast off its leading-strings, is represented at
3, 7. The funiculus still remains projecting from its summit, and its stomach is so rudi-
mentary, that, for its own sake, we must wish it a rapid accumulation of new tissue, since at
present it can scarcely hope to live very long, unless it provides itself with a more efficient
receptacle for nourishment. Perhaps it was undutiful, and left its mother too soon; all the
worse for it, and the better for us, since we learn from its examination, that the little process at
the summit of the sub-umbrella is the remains of the funiculus, and that the umbrella does
not attain its true shape and dimensions till after the sub-umbrella has been formed, and the
tentacula and organs of sense comparatively advanced. The great size of the ocelli in these
young animals, as compared with the entire body, is very striking, especially in the species
before us, where the ocellus is eventually very small and inconspicuous, though well defined.
The order of formation of tissues and organs in the Sarsi@ seems to be as follows :—Ist, the
motor tissue begins; 2d, the cavity of the disk is outlined, though closed; 3d, the pigment
cells of the ocelli commence to appear; 4th, the cavity opens, and the tentacula grow as lobes ;
5th, the vessels are formed, and the distinction between the tentacle-bulbs and tentacles
appears; at this time the veil between the tentacle-bulbs is indicated by lobes, and the
peduncle appears; and 6th, the mass of the cellular tissue of the umbrella is formed, and the
peduncle completed after the bud has become free.
What strange and wondrous changes! Fancy an elephant with a number of little
elephants sprouting from his shoulders and thighs, bunches of tusked monsters hanging
epaulette-fashion from his flanks in every stage of advancement! Here a young pachyderm
almost amorphous, there one more advanced, but all ears and eyes; on the right shoulder a
youthful Chuny, with head, trunk, toes, no legs, and a shapeless body; on the left an infant,
better grown, and struggling to get away, but his tail not sufficiently organized as yet to
permit of liberty and free action! The comparison seems grotesque and absurd, but it really
expresses what we have been describing as actually occurring among our naked-eyed Meduse.
It is true that the latter are minute, but wonders are not the less wonderful for being packed
into small compass. The multitude, being muddle-headed, love magnitude, but the philo-
sopher does not estimate a whale above a minnow for his mere bigness. ‘‘ Nosci digna heec
animalcula, non quia Deus maximus in minimis est, eque enim magnus in omnibus, at ob
eximiam membrorum exilitatem, miram organorum diversitatem, varia Creatoris eundem finem
obtinenda media et pulchritudinem et proportionem quam nihil excellit.” So wrote Otho
Frederic Miiller—filled, by his studies of minute life, with a deep spirit of reverence and
admiration of his monoculi; so might we write of our Medusz. But when to all the wonders
of their structure are added such surprising physiological facts as those which we have just
been narrating concerning their reproduction, the spirit of reverent astonishment fills us
fuller and fuller. ‘‘ La force qui développe, l'intelligence qui spécifie et co-ordonne, l'amour
BOUGAINVILLEA. 61
qui unit et vivifie’*—the triune powers manifested in each and every being, in each single
and all combined, are revealed as clearly in our little Sarsia, as in the mightiest monster of
the ocean, beneath whose shadow it may swim invisible to the unarmed eye. And when we
behold how its perpetuity in that ocean is secured, we are tempted to explain with Spenser—
“ Wonder it is to see
How diversly Love doth his pageaunts play,
And shewes his powre in variable kinds.”+
Plate VII, fig. 3, a, represents Sarsia prolifera of the natural size; 3, d, magnified ;
3, €, its peduncle; 3, d, a tentacle, with the ocellated bulb at its base, and a gemmule beside
it; 3, e, to 3,7, gemmee in various stages of development.
Genus XIV. Bovuearnvitiea, Lesson (1829).
HiprocreEne, Mertens (1835).
Umbrella spherical; ovaries in the form of four equal lobes, on the sides of the
short peduncle; margin of the umbrella, with four fasciculi of tentacular bulbs,
sending forth one or many tentacles, each fasciculus opposite one of the four single
radiating vessels ; stomach shorter than the sub-umbrella; mouth with four rami-
fying tentaculated lips.
This very remarkable group was first strictly defined by Brandt from the drawings and
notes of Mertens, who had recognised its generic value, and assigned a name to it in his
manuscripts. Lesson, who appears to have been the first naturalist who observed any species
belonging to it, had equally perceived its importance, and claims priority for the name which
he gave, dedicating it to the honour of the distinguished French voyager, Admiral
Bougainville. Both Lesson and Brandt appear to have met with the same species, the
former, in the bays of the island of Soledad; the latter,in Behring’s Straits. I had the good
fortune, in 1839, to add a second and representative form, inhabiting the North Atlantic.
Since then a third has occurred, and it is not improbable that before long many species may
be discovered of this beautiful genus, seeing that its characters are peculiarly susceptible of
specific modifications. Dr. Gould mentions one as occurring on the coast of the United
States.
The peculiar structure of the lips in the species of this and the following genus, appears
to bear some relation to the grouping of the marginal tentacula in fascicles, and to constitute
a character of sufficient value to cause in the end the establishment of a family distinct from
Sarsiada, for the reception of Bougainvillea, Lizzia, and a genus as yet undefined, of which
the Medusa described by Rathke, under the name of Oceania Blumenbachii, is the type.
* Lamennais, Esquisse d’une Philosophie, B. v, ch. 1.
+ Faerie Queen, canto v.
62 BOUGAINVILLEA BRITANNICA.
1. Bougainvillea Britannica, Forbes (1841).
Synonyms. Hippocrene Britannica. E. Forbes, in Annals of Nat. Hist., vol. vii,
p- 84, pl. 1, fig. 2 (1841).
Bougainvillea Britannica. Lesson, Acalephes, p. 291 (1843).
Medusa duodecilia. Dalyell, Animals of Scotland, p. 70, pl. 11,
figs. 11, 12) (1847).
This beautiful little animated bubble is nearly globular, and usually not much larger than
a marrowfat pea. Its umbrella is transparent, colourless, and quite smooth, therein differing
essentially from the Hippocrene Bougainvillii of Brandt, which has pilose sides resembling,
in this respect, Zhaumantias pilosella. (See Brandt, in Petersburg Memoirs, Sixth Ser., Sc.
Nat., vol. ii, pl. 20, figs. 2, 3, 4, and 6.) The opening of the umbrella is contracted and
quadrangular. At each angle is an oblong group of tentacle-bulbs, closely packed together,
six to eight in each group. Each bulb is particoloured, orange below, and white above, with
a red eye-dot on the white portion. The bulbs seem all united into one mass or pad at their
lower part, so that the tentacles are more close together at their origins than the ocelli. The
tentacles are as many as the bulbs, not very long, yet slender, white towards their bases,
orange towards their tips. The outer ones are usually borne curled upwards. The sub-
umbrella is small as compared with the umbrella, less than half its size. It is divided ito
four sections by four simple gastric vessels, which join the marginal vessel opposite the groups
of tentacular bulbs. From its centre hangs the massy peduncle, consisting in its upper part
of four equal, compressed, quadrate lobes, of a bright orange colour, contracting below into a
short, tubular, orange stomach. The latter terminates in a mouth surrounded by four very
curious lips, for each is prolonged into a white filiform tentacle, which twice dichotomously
divides ; each division terminates in a bulbiform extremity of an orange colour, with dark
specks. The structure of these singular appendages to the mouth reminds us of the root-
like cotyledonary tentacles of Cephea among the higher Medus@, and serves to bear out
the view that those bodies are not substitutes for stomachs, absorbent roots, as it were, as
formerly supposed, but only a modified form of fimbriated lips. The gland-like appearance
of their extremities in Bougainvillea, seems to depend on terminal accumulations of fibrous and
pigment: cells.
The Bougainvillea Britannica is a very active little animal, and very tenacious of life.
Its tentacula are continually in motion, and sometimes so contracted, that none appears to be
present. It is abundant, but probably not gregarious, in various localities in the north. I
have taken it in the Kyles of Bute, whence it was first described, at the entrance of the Frith
of Forth, in Zetland, and in Ballycastle Bay, on the north coast of Ireland. It has also been
taken on the east coast of Scotland by Mr. Henry Goodsir, and Mr. Patterson has.communicated
a memorandum of a little Medusa, evidently this species, procured by him at Portaferry,
Strangford Loch, on the 7th of August, 1838, so that he had met with and observed it before
Thad the same good fortune.
Plate XII, fig. 1, a, represents this Bougainvillea of the natural size; 1, 6, magnified,
and seen in profile; 1, ¢, as seen from above; 1, d, the lobes of the peduncle. Between
BOUGAINVILLEA NIGRITELLA. 63
these lobes will probably hereafter be found young Bougainvillee produced by gemmation,
in the manner described as occurring in the following genus. The appearance of eight
peduncular lobes represented in Mertens’s drawing of Hippocrene Bougainvillii, (Bougainvillia
Macloviana, Lesson,) is probably due to this cause ; the four intermediate ones being gemme,
symmetrically developed, in this respect differing essentially from the unsymmetrical develop-
ment so strangely exhibited by Zixzxza. Those who have opportunities of hereafter examining
our British Bougainvillea, should let no specimen pass until the mode of reproduction be
discovered. When found, I feel quite confident it will prove to be of the order now indicated.
1, e, represents one of the ramified lips, with its gland-like extremities ; 1, f, is one of the
four fasciculi of tentacles and tentacular bulbs.
2. Bougainvillea nigritella, Forbes.
A second British species of Bougatnvillea—one, too, remarkably distinct from the first—
was discovered by Mr. M‘Andrew and myself in the Sound of Brassay, Zetland, during the
autumn of 1845.
It is very mute, not more than half the size of its congener. The umbrella is globose,
smooth, transparent, and colourless. It is contracted at its opening, which is quadrangular,
each angle bearing a compact, oblong, or almost kidney-shaped mass of tentacular bulbs,
apparently four m number, closely united together, so that, but for indications of lobation at
the lower part of the pad, the number of these bodies would be indeterminable. The upper
half of the pad is yellow, the lower jet-black, the two colours separated in a very defined
manner. On one side of each pad arises a very short, thick, yellow tentacle, and one only.
The sub-umbrella, which occupies about two thirds of the body, is divided into four parts, the
simple gastric vessels, each of which unites with the marginal vessels opposite the centre of
one of the ocellated pads. The peduncle is short, and divided above into four rather thick
oblong lobes, of a yellow colour; below it is produced into a short, campanulate, yellow
stomach, terminating in four tentacle-shaped, white lips. Each lip becomes suddenly filiform,
proceeds for some distance simple, and then divides into two, again bifurcatine before
it terminates. The end of each division is a conical gland-like body, white speckled with
black.
Plate XII, fig. 2, a, represents Bougainvillea nigritella of the natural size; 2, d, mag-
nified in profile; 2, ¢, seen from one side ; 2, d, the peduncle and lips; 2, e, one of the lips
‘with its sucker-like terminations ; 2, /, one of the masses of tentacle-glands, and the single
tentacle.
64 LIZZIA OCTOPUNCTATA.
Genus XV. Lizzia, Forbes (1846).
Umbrella spherical or campanulate ; ovaries in the form of four lobes, on the
sides of the short peduncle; margin of the umbrella with eight unequal, compound,
tentacular bulbs, all tentaculiferous, the four larger opposite the four radiating,
simple, gastric vessels ; stomach shorter than the sub-umbrella; mouth with four,
simple, or ramifying tentaculated lips.
I founded this genus for the reception of the remarkable Medusa described and figured
by Sars under the name of Cyteis (?) octopunctata. I had previously referred it to Hippo-
crene (i.e. Bougainvillea), and had been followed in such reference by Lesson, but the discovery
of several true Bougainvillee with four fascicles of tentacles, and of more than one form with
eight fascicles, indicated the propriety of separating the two types, and of assigning each a
generic value. Further observations have rendered it probable that the one genus produces
its young by gemmation symmetrically, and the other unsymmetrically, which difference, if
constant, would of itself be sufficient to induce a generic separation of the two groups.
1. Lizzia octopunctata (sp.), Sars (1835).
Plate XII, Fig. 3.
Synonyms. Cyteis(?) octopunctata. Sars, Besk. og Jagt., p. 28, pl. 6, f. 14
(1835), and Fauna Littoralis Norwegize,
t. iv, figs. 7-13 (1846).
Hippocrene octopunctata. Forbes, Annals of Nat. Hist., vol. vii,
p. 84 (1841).
Bougainvillea octopunctata. Lesson, Acalephes, p. 292 (1843).
Among the many important discoveries which have rewarded the patient observation of
Sars, that of the power of Medusz to reproduce by gemmation is not the least significant.
The animal now to be described was that in which the Norwegian naturalist met with the
phenomenon. Hitherto it has been found only on the coasts of Scandinavia; I have now
the pleasure of making it known as a member of the British Fauna. To add a new form,
even though of little interest, in a class with so few recorded native members as the Acalephe,
is a pleasure ; much more so, to mcrease our lists with one of such curious physiological
import as the Lixzia octopunctata. ;
This little Medusa—it is scarcely a quarter of an inch in length—swarms in the bays of
the eastern and western coasts of Zetland. I have not met with it elsewhere. Its umbrella is
sub-globose or elongato-convex, smooth, transparent, and colourless. On the margin there
are eight, jet-black, triangular ocelli, four of which are larger than the other four. All are
compound, being composed of the united bulbs of several tentacula. Three of those organs
LIZZIA OCTOPUNCTATA. 65
spring from each of the larger bulbs, and either two or three from the smaller, the number
varying in different specimens. These tentacles when contracted are rather short in pro-
portion to the body, colourless, and not usually very extensile, though Sars has observed them
extended to a great length. The animal, when swimming, often turns them up and curls them.
The sub-umbrella occupies not quite two thirds of the body; it is divided into four parts, by
the four vessels running to join the marginal canal opposite the larger tentacular bulbs. Its
upper part often appears as if truncated. The peduncle is short, thick, and four-lobed. It
is marked with four patches of black pigment-cells. Between the lobes are seen, in the
majority of specimens I have examined, four budding gemmules, one of which is invariably in
a stage of advancement far beyond the others, and usually exhibits distinctly the black
ocellated tentacular bulbs. The stomach occupies the lower part of the peduncle; it is
narrower than the upper, and more extensile. It is colourless, and terminates in four ten-
taculiform lips, each one bifurcating.
In St. Magnus Bay I took specimens similar in every respect to those just described,
except in being a little larger, having slightly smaller ocelli, and no buds on the peduncle.
These may possibly have been males. I have never seen the process of gemmation in the
females advanced beyond the stage noticed above. Sars, however, traced all its stages, and
as his account is of great interest, and contained in a work probably accessible to very few of
my readers, I extract it entire :—
“T considered the short cylindrical knots or appendages on the stomach (which hangs
free in the cavity of the campanulate disk) of the Acalephz, described by me under the name
of Cyteis octopunctata, as very remarkable even at the moment of the discovery of the species.
I could not at the time state their purport with certainty, but supposed that they had some
connexion with the mode of procreation.
“Tn the spring, 1836, I had an opportunity of observing a number of individuals of this
species of Acalephe ; and I then discovered, to my astonishment, that the parts mentioned are
nothing else than the young ones produced by gemmation,—a phenomenon hitherto unknown
among the class of the Acalephe. I have briefly mentioned this interesting discovery in
Wiegmann’s Archives for 1837, Part V, p. 406.
“I observed in some individuals, which I examined on the 5th of May, that these knots
are all placed in a horizontal position (viewing the animal erect or with the mouth downwards),
at the sides of the square-formed stomach. They are usually four in number, and are seated
opposite one another. There are likewise frequently seen an additional two or four much
smaller ones, placed beneath the former number. They are, moreover, usually of uneven
dimensions, the two seated opposite one another being larger than the other two, and one of
the larger pair is larger than the other. In one of these individuals a knot was developed
into a perfect young animal, with a bell-shaped, colourless, transparent disk, in the cavity of
which the oblong, pear-shaped, brownish-gray stomach was quite distinct. At the margin of
the disk there were eight brownish-black, marginal granules, and the marginal fibres that
spring forth from them, of which I counted sixteen, as long as the disk. The marginal fibres
moved and bent slowly, and the entire disk was contracted occasionally. The young one was
attached by means of a very short and rather thick peduncle (which issued forth from the
back or from the convex surface of the disk) to the stomach of the mother, whilst it otherwise
projected with its entire body independently. The young one seated opposite it had probably
9
66 LIZZIA OCTOPUNCTATA.
already dropped off, for traces of the peduncle were perceived at the place where it had
grown. Of the two other buds issuing forth from this individual, the one was round at the
independent extremity, and had only four brownish-black marginal granules, without traces
of marginal fibres; whilst the other exhibited very short, thick, prominent, marginal fibres,
and traces of stomach internally.
“Tn another individual the two opposite knots were small, rounded, and as transparent
as water, without traces of stomach, marginal granules, or marginal fibres; of the two
other larger ones, the one was simple, without marginal fibres, but furnished with four
marginal granules ; the other and largest of all also did not exhibit any marginal fibres, but
had eight marginal granules, of which four were much larger than the rest, the latter being
evidently those that had latest budded forth, owing to which circumstance they were seated
alternately with and between the larger ones.
“The number of these knots I found unequal in different individuals, depending upon
the circumstance whether several or few young ones had already severed themselves, namely,
from one to three, independent of the small knots seated farther below on the stomach,
which become smaller the nearer they are to the mouth. The form of the latter, however, is
quite the same as that of the others, excepting that they are as transparent as water, and
without visible organs.
“ Among the larger young ones, which possess eight distinct, equally large, marginal
granules, marginal fibres are likewise always found to grow forth, being equally long or even
longer than the young one itself ; they are, however, generally found to be lying together in
a bent position, and only become visible when they are unfolded by the aid of a needle, or
when the young one severs itself forcibly from the body of the mother, in which latter case
they begin to unfold and to move spontaneously. Their number is usually twelve, (viz. three
grow from each of the marginal granules that first show themselves). Sixteen, however, are
found with the largest young ones, or those that are about to sever themselves from the
mother, (viz. one marginal fibre grows from each of the four subsequent marginal granules).
In the last mentioned young ones, the stomach as well as the short mouth-tentacles are
distinctly developed.
“On the same day I remarked, in one of the largest of the individuals of this Acalephe,
a young one, which was from five to six times smaller in diameter that the mother ; it appeared
recently to have been severed, and still was slightly glued to the stomach of the mother, but
separated from it immediately as soon as I touched it with a needle, swam about in the water,
and exhibited the same phenomena of life as its parent. It had eight marginal granules and
sixteen marginal fibres.
“On the 10th of May, I found in such a large individual a perfectly-developed young
one, of the size of the one that I have just mentioned, and which was still glued to the body
of the mother. I observed it with great attention, with a view, if possible, to see the process
of separation. The disk, the stomach, the mouth-tentacles, marginal granules, and the four
radiating canals, running from the stomach towards the margin of the disk, each of which corre-
sponded exactly with the same parts in the mother, were evident. It was moreover as colourless
as water, excepting the brownish-gray stomach, and the brownish-black marginal granules.
Occasionally it would violently contract, and again expand (just as the mother when swimming),
a systole and diastole by which it strove to sever itself ; its contractions were quite independent
LIZZIA BLONDINA. 67
from those of the mother, and indeed evinced a distinct individual life. 'The marginal fibres,
the number of which were sixteen, viz. three and one alternately issuing from the marginal
granules, were of the length of the disk or a little larger, and moved themselves, worm-like,
in every direction.
“T placed this individual by itself in a vessel filled with sea-water. On the very evening
of the same day I found that the young one had severed itself from the mother, swimming
about rapidly in the water. The bell-formed disk (from five to six times smaller in diameter
than that of the parent) was more rounded at the upper part, and not so high as in the
mother; every trace of the locality of adfixture, which, as already mentioned, is at the back
of the disk, had already disappeared. At its stomach I observed two small knots of an
unequal size, being probably the first commencement of the issuing young ones of the second
generation. In other young ones (that had not yet freed themselves from their progenitor), of
about the same size as this, I have found four such unequally-sized little knots,—otherwise
growing young ones—issuing forth from the stomach.
“On the morning of the following day I had another rather smaller young one, which had
been attached to the same mother, swimming about merrily with the above-mentioned one,
the latter having grown to {—4 of the size of the mother in diameter.”
The Lizxia octopunctata is a gregarious species. It is very conspicuous, owing to the
jetty colour of its ocelli and ovaries. It moves much less gracefully than most of its allies,
jerking itself through the water with sudden and vigorous leaps. It is lively, vigorous, and
tenacious of life.
Plate XII, fig. 3, a@ and 4, represents it seen in profile, and from above, magnified ;
3, ¢, is the peduncle with a budding young one far advanced, and the curious bifurcated lips
of the stomach; 3, d, isthe same seen from above; three of the buds in this instance are very
rudimentary ; 3, e, represents two of the tentacular bulbs. The variety figured is that with
only two tentacles springing from the intermediate bulbs ; that with three, as figured by Sars,
is equally, if not more, abundant. I have no reason to suppose them to be specifically
distinct.
2. Lizzia blondina, Forbes.
Plate XII, fig. 4.
Rather smaller than the last species, not so common, and of solitary habit, is another
Lizzia inhabiting the Zetland seas, and met with first in the Sound of Brassay, and afterwards
off Fitful Head, during the autumn of 1845.
The umbrella of the Zizsta blondina is sub-conical, smooth, inflated, and colourless.
Its margin is ornamented with eight oblong, yellow, compound, tentacular bulbs, alternately
small and large, each of the latter giving origin to three yellow tentacula, the former to only
one, equally yellow, however, and not different from the other tentacles in dimensions. Their
substance, when highly magnified, appears minutely and granularly ringed. The sub-umbrella
is rather small in proportion to the umbrella, conic, and truncated above. Four simple mar-
ginal vessels run down its sides, opposite the four larger fascicles of tentacula. A broad veil
borders its opening. From the centre hangs a short, four-lobed, yellow peduncle, producing
gemmules unsymmetrically, exactly as the last species does, in the intervals of the lobes.
68 LIZZIA BLONDINA.
Stomach very short ; mouth bordered by four tentaculiform lips, which do not bifurcate, but
terminate with simple, gland-like, black-spotted, conical extremities. The motions of this
very distinct species are jerking, and its habits, except in being solitary, like those of its
congener.
Plate XII, fig. 4, @ and 4, represents the Lissia blondina much magnified, seen in
profile and from above; 4, ¢ and d, are similar views of the peduncle, tentacula, and
gemmules; 4, ¢, is one of the larger fascicles of tentacula, with the compound bulb from
which they spring; 4, /, the appearance of a portion of one of the tentacles, greatly
magnified.
I have met, both on our southern and northern coasts, with several little Meduse in an
immature state, presenting the essential characters of Lizzza, and evidently distinct from
either of the preceding, but have abstained from describing or figuring them as species until
they shall have been observed in an adult condition. I do this the more willingly, as it would
seem that the intermediate stage of several hydroid zoophytes appears to be similar to, if
not identical with, this genus. Thus the Medusa state of the Hudendrium ramosum, figured
by Van Beneden in the ‘ Memoirs of the Brussels Academy’ (vol. xvii, pl. 4, figs. 10-13), is
closely related to both Bougainvillea and Lizxia, nor is the Medusa produced by Zubularia
far removed. Sir John Dalyell has recognised this affinity of forms, in his account of the
probable Medusa of Zubudaria, under the name of Medusa ocilia, and his comparison of it
with a Bougainvillea (apparently B. Britannica), denominated by him Medusa duodecilia.
His description is so interesting, and bears so importantly on the history of the Lizzéa and its
allies, that I venture to extract it from his most valuable and beautiful work ‘On Remarkable
Animals of Scotland,’ in the hopes of attracting the attentive observer to a subject evidently
prolific in future discoveries :—
“ Medusa ocilia. Minute pyriform bodies, as above specified, are dispersed on the stalk
of different parts of the Tubularia at considerable intervals; sometimes three are together,
sometimes two are opposite to each other, or only one terminates a twig, where it might be
readily supposed a regenerating hydra. Each pyrulum is affixed by its own distinct pedicle,
at first of some length, but gradually shortening as the remainder becomes more globular, or
flattens. In a few days, the whole may be compared to the opening bud of a white rose.
““ Now the dilatation and collapse of the subject commence; convulsive struggles ensue ;
four pair of long, rough, muricate organs resembling tentacula, or ciliary processes, are
gradually unfolded, and after what seems repeated, severe, and protracted exertions, a perfect
animal of great transparence is liberated as a Medusa, suspended amidst the waters.
“This Medusa resembles a large transverse section of an ovoid, not half a line in diameter,
the sides of excessive tenuity, the tentacula, or ciliary organs, four or five times as long as the
diameter of the ovoid, and quite flexible. I conjectured there might be an orifice in the upper
surface, and that some stump or particular organization by which it was penetrated, and
remaining behind, the animal, amidst its struggles, was kept in its place. -It is the upper
surface which is that in application or adhesion, as may be seen of others; the lower portion
whence the cilia originate, is meantime free. Here, as we know, the mouth or proboscis of
the Medusarian race is situated. In the under surface, four cruciform organs were apparent.
But the difficulty of ascertaining relative position is never to be forgot; and, in fact, organs
apparently below, in such creatures may be in the middle, or actually above.
“ MEDUSA DUODECILIA.” 69
“As in some other Medusa, the ciliary or tentacular organs resemble knotted cords.
Each pair originate from a prominent knob or button on the margin of the cavity in the
under part; and a black speck, like an eye, is conspicuous at the root of each tentaculum :
there are, therefore, eight in all. The transparent convex surface of the animal is crossed by
two darker lines at right angles, as if dividing it into quarters, and terminating in the four
buttons or knobs on the margin.
“ The opacity of this creature, during its earlier stages, is not such as entirely to intercept
the light, though its transparence refines in proportion to the evolution of its organization.
Thus, the cross lines running from what was conjectured an orifice are discovered to be four
vessels, wherein a fluid carries a number of black particles down to the marginal knobs below.
It rather appears also, though I could not satisfy myself of the fact, that the current may pass
in another course around the margin.
“We should be much deluded, as well as our fellows, in believing that sufficient oppor-
tunities are afforded for similar observations by the Medusa free of the zoophyte, and swimming
at large. On the contrary, they can be effected only while immaturity yet restrains the
animal to its pristine site; and where, during progressive evolution, the microscopical focus
can be accurately adjusted for distinct vision. The motion of so restless a being, when
liberated, renders correct observation incompatible with that condition.
“One of the pyrula seemed to be united to a hydra, just at the orifice of the twig from
which it issued. Circulation manifestly advanced in both. Black particles were carried up as
well as down the neck of the former, the pyrulum, and during their descent, a current was
obviously conveying black particles up the body of the hydra; something similar seemed to
be going on in an isolated pyrulum, where there was no hydra.
“The preceding animals originated and disappeared without leaving any traces behind.
Indeed the smaller Medusz never leave anything that I have seen.
Another species (J/edusa duodecilia) has sometimes appeared and decayed mysteriously,
without affording obvious indications of its origin. This animal occurs in April; the former is
developed from June until August. It is an eighth of an inch in diameter, with sixteen long,
slender, tentacular, or ciliary organs, disposed in four bundles, which issue from four marginal
prominences. At the base of each set is a black speck. The transparence of the Medusa is
such, that while suspended in equilibrium in the water it is scarcely perceptible.
“The evolution of the Medusa ocilia is progressive, accelerated perhaps by external
temperature. It has occurred to me under no other conditions than as above specified. A
number of whitish corpuscula seem to be generated rather suddenly among the hydre, either
singly, in pairs, or in clusters of three, four, or five, as already stated. Each is affixed by an
independent pedicle, and generally about the orifice of a twig of the zoophyte. One, wherein
no subordinate organic parts were visible, on first inspection, was observed to unfold in three
hours.
“There is reason to believe that this Medusa is confined in a diaphanous vesicle or
involucrum, remaining in its place after the animal has escaped. If actually so, which requires
confirmation, we cannot but recognise strict analogy to the vesicles of the Sertularia, some
being hardly perceptible after discharging their contents, from extreme transparency.
“ A colony, computed at 130 individuals, of the Medusa ocilia was produced in four or
70 MODEERIA FORMOSA.
five days; and there are grounds for assuming that successive colonies come from the same
specimens of the zoophyte.
“T cannot presume to affirm that any connexion, immediate or remote, connects the
Medusa ocilia and the Tubularia ramosa; far less to conclude that the former shall be
metamorphosed in progress of time to the latter, with its numerous and beautiful appurte-
nances. I have not seen both the beginning and the end; nor does the fugitive existence of
so delicate a creature seem well adapted for permanent observation. (Dalyell’s Rare and
Remarkable Animals of Scotland, vol. i, p. 66, pl. XI.)
Genus XVI. Moprerrta, Forbes, (1846).
Umbrella globose; radiating vessels four, simple; four marginal tentacles
opposite the four simple vessels; ocelli conspicuous; peduncle inflated, balloon-
shaped, contracted below, and terminating in four lanceolate lips.
Ihave dedicated this very distinct genus to Adolph Modeer, a naturalist of no mean
eminence, whose name has hitherto remained without such association in zoology. No one
has a juster right to preside over a good genus of Medusa than Modeer, since to him we owe
the first attempt of any value towards systematising the knowledge of the tribe acquired up to
his time. This is contained in the twelfth volume of the ‘ New Transactions of the Swedish
Royal Academy,’ published in 1791, and is a very elaborate and masterly treatise for its day.
The author was a Swede. He was a man of considerable and varied acquirements, and
brought a mind exercised in comprehensive and practical thought, to bear beneficially upon
natural history. As secretary to the Patriotic Society of Stockholm, he worked advan-
tageously for the benefit of his native country, especially directing his attention towards the
improvement of its agriculture and industrial arts. He wrote a ‘ History of the Commerce of
Sweden,’ and was the author of a ‘ Bibliotheca Helminthologia,’ published at Erlangen in
1776. He died at the age of 60, in 1799.
Modeeria formosa, Forbes.
Plate VII, Fig. 1.
The largest objects are not always the most beautiful. Little diamonds may sparkle
brighter than the monster gems of a regal crown. There is not a Medusa in all the ocean
which can match for beauty with the minute creature now before us, though its smallness is
such, that a split pea would overtop it. Yet small though it be, it has shape, colour, and
substance so disposed, that as yet no explorer of the sea has met with another like it. It is
gorgeous enough to be the diadem of the smallest of sea-fairies, and sufficiently graceful to be
the nightcap of the tiniest and prettiest of mermaidens.
The umbrella is globular, or slightly elliptical, smooth, and transparent. Its inner margin
is bordered by a membranous veil. On the outer edge are four conspicuous tubercles, each
EUPHYSA AURATA. 71
with two crimson lateral pads, and an ocellus of the same colour between them. From each
springs a tentacle, long, translucent, slender, curling, pale, or colourless. Centrally on the
margin, between each pair of tentacles, is a smaller tubercle ocellated with crimson, but
bearing no tentacle. On each side of this are three colourless tubercles, all very small, but
the central one slightly larger than the others. The marginal vessel is rather large and
conspicuous. The sub-umbrella occupies about two thirds of the umbrella, and is slightly
conic inform. From its centre hangs an ample balloon-shaped peduncle, obsoletely four-lobed,
the lobes of a brilliant crimson hue, the interspaces yellowish-white. I think it probable
that the young are produced by gemmation from the crimson spaces. The peduncle
terminates in a contracted neck, widening into a campanulate mouth, with four, rather short,
lanceolate lips. This orifice is white, with four crimson lines. The peduncle sometimes
contracts into a distinctly four-lobed form, and the lips are then more distinct than usual.
The Modeeria formosa was taken by Mr. M‘Andrew and myself off Mull, in the Hebrides,
during the autumn of 1845.
Plate VII, fig. 1, a, represents it of the natural size; 1, d, magnified ; 1, c, seen from
above; 1, d, the stomach or peduncle contracted; a slight inequality of the ovarian lobes
may be observed; 1, e, a portion of the crimson bands of the peduncle much magnified,
showing the structure of the supposed germinal membrane 1, //, two of the tentacles, and the
tubercles of the interspace (by mistake the small tubercles are represented as too few by four) ;
1, g, structure of a tentacle and its bulb.
Genus XVII. Eupuysa, Forbes.
Umbrella globose, inflated ; ovaries in the base of a flask-shaped peduncle, with
a simple orifice at the end of a proboscidiform stomach ; vessels four, simple, joining
the gastric vessel opposite four conspicuous ocellated tubercles, from each of which
arises a short, slender, recurved cirrus, and from one a supplementary large tentacle.
Euphysa aurata, Forbes.
Plate XIII, Fig. 3.
I have constituted this genus for the reception of a very beautiful little Medusa taken
in 1835, in Brassay Sound, Zetland. At first I included it in my genus S¢eenstrupia, and it
is one of the three species of that group announced at the meeting of the British Association
at Southampton. But although bearing a close affinity with Steenstrupia through the
arrangement of its tentacles, and the form of the stomach, it presents characters, such as the
construction of the umbrella, the presence of conspicuous ovaries, the absence of an apical
appendage, and the freedom of its lesser tentacles, which must be regarded as generic. It is
indeed evidently of higher rank in the series than Steenstrupta, which, we shall presently see,
has many of the features of a rudimentary animal, a stage in the metamorphoses of some
creature in a different order.
72 STEENSTRUPIA.
The Euphysa aurata has a smooth, inflated, globose, transparent umbrella. The orifice
is rather contracted, and square. At each of the four angles is a large diamond-shaped
ocellus, the upper half of which is bright golden yellow, and the lower vivid scarlet or
crimson. From each of the ocelli springs a short, reflexed, cylindrical, yellow tentacle, which I
have never seen to extend itself. From one of the ocelli, below the short tentacle, arises a long
and thick one, highly extensile, and of a golden colour, usually presenting a club-like shape. The
smaller and larger tentacles are identical in structure. A marginal vessel and veil bounds the
opening of the umbrella. The peduncle is flask-shaped, the neck of the flask being the
stomach, and terminating in a contracted, simple, round opening, which I never saw protruded
beyond the disk, though often moved about in various directions ; the walls of the peduncle
are apparently banded with motor tissue. The orifice of the stomach is tinged with
red. The remainder is yellow, with four slightly-marked tawny bands on its lower part.
Within the centre, and at the base of the peduncle, is a pyramidal cluster of reproductive
cells, constituting the ovary. The size of the body scarcely exceeds one sixth of an inch. It
is an active and lively little animal.
Plate XIII, fig. 3, a, represents it of the natural size; 3, b, magnified; 3, ¢, is one of
the smaller tentacles and ocellus; 3, d, the same seen in front; 3, f, the extremity of the
larger tentacle; 3, e, the peduncle and ovaries as seen under compression.
Genus XVII. StEENstrupta, Forbes (1846).
Umbrella conical, apiculate ; apex connected by a cord with the sub-umbrella ;
four marginal elongated glands opposite the four simple radiating vessels ; a single
tentacle developed from one of the glands only; peduncle proboscidiform, with a
simple round orifice.
Whatever may be thought of the other genera of Sarsiadez, there can be no question
that this is intimately related to zoophytes of the hydroid order, and is, in all probability, an
intermediate stage. Yet animals, so singular and significant as those which I have brought
under Steenstrupia, cannot be left unnamed until their larva or final conditions, as the case
may prove, be determined. Nor, I trust, will the illustrious naturalist of Denmark, in honour
of whose genius I have ventured to designate the group, disdain it, even though it prove to
be only provisional, since whatever may become its eventual rank, in all probability the
creatures it includes will yield valuable illustrations of the ingenious and important theory
which he first presented in definite shape.
Indeed several of the figures which Steenstrup has given in the first plate of his ‘ Essay
on the Alternation of Generations,’ representing the hydroid polype Coryne fritillaria, and
those in the first plate of Sars’s ‘ Beskrivelser, &c.’ delineating the gemmules of that
exquisitely beautiful zoophyte, the Corymorpha nutans, bear so close a resemblance to the
two forms of Meduse which I am about to describe, that I can scarcely doubt their close
affinity. It is not impossible that my Steenstrupia rubra may eventually prove to be the full-
grown medusoid of the Corymorpha,—a supposition rendered the more probable by the
STEENSTRUPIA RUBRA. 73
circumstances that both animals as yet have been found only in the Zetland and Orkney seas,
where that giant zoophyte was first enrolled among British species by Professor Goodsir and
myself, in 1839. The specimens taken by us had, however, their buds too immature to
permit of our perceiving the close resemblance and affinity of those bodies to true Meduse.
The apical process, which is so striking a feature of the following animals, is almost certainly
the remains of a funiculus by which the young animals were attached to its parent—but
whether that parent was a “nurse,” guised as a hydriform Coryne, or a Medusa, like the
offspring, as we have seen to be the case in the gemmiparous Sarsi@ and Lixxie, is a point
’
which fortunate future observations only can determine.
1. Steenstrupia rubra, Forbes.
Plate XII, Fig. 1.
The umbrella of this strange little Meduse is conical, rather elongated, transparent,
smooth, and colourless. Its summit bears a little tentacle-like, fleshy, red appendage. Its
orifice is rather contracted and quadrangular. At each angle there is an elongated, slanting,
tentacle-like ocellus, fixed throughout, and terminating above in a bulb. This body is
entirely of a vermilion red. From the side and lowest part of one of them springs a very long,
thick, fleshy, bright-red tentacle, which twists and coils like a worm, and under the microscope,
presents a ringed and granulated structure. The sub-umbrella is oblong. It is comparted
by four simple gastric vessels, running to the tentacular bulbs. Its orifice is surrounded by a
veil. From its centre depends a thick, tubular, very contractile, fleshy, red peduncle,
terminating in a round or imperfectly quadrate mouth. This peduncle is capable of great
changes of form, and sometimes presents an appearance as if it had a nucleus denser than
the substance composing its walls. Though highly extensile, it does not appear even to be
voluntarily produced beyond the opening of the disk. Its base is connected with the little
finger-like process on the apex of the umbrella, by a rather tortuous colourless cord, presenting
a tubular appearance.
The length of the body is about a line and a half. Small as this Medusa is, it is very
conspicuous in the water, owing to the brilliant colouring and fleshy substance of its tentacles
and stomach. It is very active and tenacious of life; before dying, assuming all manner of
strange shapes, doubling itself up, and turning its organs inside out in a terrific manner, giving
up the ghost with convulsions as fearful as those of a popular actor in the death-scene of a
tragedy. One of the least strange of these moribund attitudes is represented in Plate XIII,
fig. 1, d, where the creature has constricted its body so as to assume the aspect of some twin
Acaleph, such as Diphyes. At such times, if we had not seen the animal previously in a
healthy state, it was very difficult to perceive any resemblance between it and the other
genera of its family. But when well and uninjured, it is an extremely active and regularly
formed creature, though, owing to the weighty and unbalanced tail which it is doomed per-
petually to drag as its train, it cannot advance through the water with the easy grace and
rapidity for which its allies are remarkable, but struggles forward with frantic energy, con-
tracting and expanding rapidly, and without ceasing, reminding us of an escaped felon impeded
in his course by the dragging of his heavy fetters. When I first saw how the weight and
10
74 STEENSTRUPIA FLAVEOLA.
one-sidedness of the simple tentacle arrested the motions of this Steenstrupia, 1 fancied that
the animals before me had by accident been deprived of their corresponding marginal
appendages. But among hundreds of specimens secured in the bays of both sides of Zetland,
there was never the slightest sign of a symmetrical arrangement by the development of more
tentacles than one.
Plate XIII, fig. 1, a, represents Steenstrupia rubra of the natural size; 1, 6, magnified,
as seen in profile; 1, ¢, the arrangement of tentacular bulbs and tentacle, as seen from below ;
1, d, the distorted specimen noticed above; 1, e, structure of the tentacle when very much
elongated; and 1, /, its usual appearance when contracted.
2. Steenstrupia flaveola, Forbes.
Plate XIII, Fig. 2.
Umbrella conical, mitrate, transparent, colourless, not exceeding a line in length. Its
summit is produced into a mucronated termination, which, though transparent and colourless,
appears to be of a different tissue from the rest of the disk, which, besides, is quite smooth,
whilst the apex is as if pilose. The margin is contracted as in the last species, and
quadrangular, each angle bearing a similar elongated ocellus or tentacle-bulb, in this stance
of a fawn yellow colour. One only of these bulbs gives origin toa tentacle, very slender, long,
and moniliformly granulated. From the summit of the sub-umbrella, a cord or tube runs to
the apex. Its sides are marked by four simple, radiating vessels. The peduncle is very
changeable in form: sometimes contracting into a very short, thick, quadrate mass ; at others,
assuming the shape of that of Sarsia, but not protruding beyond the disk. It is also of a
pale yellowish, fawn colour. The mouth has no produced lips.
This singular little animal was taken in Penzance Bay towards the close of August, 1846.
Plate XIII, fig. 2, a, represents it of the natural size; 2, b, magnified, its peduncle contracted;
2, c, with the peduncle extended ; 2, d, the apex of the umbrella; 2, e, one of the tentacle
bulbs.
eS .
Having now enumerated and described those naked-eyed Medusze, which have come
under my notice* in the British seas, I shall proceed to offer a few remarks on their systematic
relations with other animals of their class, and on the affinities of the Pulmograde Acalephe,
with the members of other sections of Radiata. But before I do so, I think it best for the
convenience of my readers to enumerate very briefly the higher or Steganopthalmatous
Pulmograda, known to me as inhabiting our coasts, in the hope of directing attention to the
study of the larger species, which afford fine materials for original research. I look forward
at some future time to describe and figure them in a companion Monograph to this, but require
many more observations and drawings before that can be done in a satisfactory manner.
Being so much larger than the subjects of this volume, they are much more familiar to
frequenters of the sea-side; and as several of the species are gregarious and very generally
distributed, they present good opportunities for the acquirement of a knowledge of the
structure of Medusz in general. Every person who has been in a boat ona calm day, or
looked over the side of one of our harbours when the tide was flowing in summer, must
have seen large transparent gelatinous disks, with frmged margins, contracting and expand-
ing, making their way beneath the surface of the water. All who have walked much
along the wet sands when the tide is out, must have met with great pads of transparent jelly,
marked in the centre with purple circles, or edged and rayed with brown. The latter, when
handled, sting severely ; the former are harmless. They are the two most common kinds of
covered-eyed Medusz, members of the genera Aurelia and Cyanea. The following brief
notices will enable the reader to distinguish between our native species of Pulmograda
Gymnopthalmata.
Genus AuRELIA, Peron. Mepusa, Eschscholtz.
1. To this genus belongs the commonest of our native species, the Aurelia aurita, a
hemispherical, translucent, bluish, gelatinous disk, margined with a close fringe of fine
filiferm tentacula, interspersed at eight points by as many ocelli, each composed of an egg-
shaped, pedunculated, black body, with a red speck above it. The sub-umbrella is marked
by numerous radiating vessels, dichotomously dividing and most of them anastomosing in their
course towards the margin. Sometimes these vessels present a deep purple hue, and then
we have the spurious species durelia lineolata of Peron, 4. radiolata of Lamarck, and
Medusa purpurata of Pennant. Borlase first noticed this variety, and correctly considered it
such, and not distinct from the ordinary form. Four long arms, with membranous and
fringed edges, spring from the centre of the sub-umbrella. In the middle of them is the
mouth. In particular states of the animal, the fringes and margins of the arms serve as
marsupia for the eggs. Between each pair of arms is a raised cartilaginous tubercle, with an
* Notices of doubtful or imperfectly described forms, will be found in the Bibliographical
Appendix.
76 PELAGTA.
opening at its inner side entering the cavities of the body in which we find the ovaries. These
are four in number, shaped like horse-shoes or half-moons, of a bright purple colour. They
are the four purple crescent-like marks which shine through the disk of the jelly fish as we
see them swimming in the water. In some monstrous varieties they become united, and form
a circle round the disk, or are multiplied, or, more rarely, aborted. The disk often measures
nearly a foot across. It is very minutely granulated; when more coarsely so than usual, we
have the variety which has been called 4. granulata. The specific names rosea, Surirea,
lineolata, radiolata, purpurata, are all so many synonyms of the Aurelia aurita; and,
judging from the description, the Biblis Aquitania of Lesson was, in all probability, nothing
more than this common Medusa cast high and dry on the sands! It is everywhere abundant
around our coasts, and sometimes occurs in vast numbers, impeding the course of boats
through the water. Figures of it may be found in the Zoologia Danica, in the Berlin Trans-
actions for 1837, and in the commemorative edition of the Regne Animal.
2. A second species of Aurelia, for which I propose to retain the name Campanula,
occurs abundantly in Southampton water, and some other confined localities. It appears
to be the Medusa campanula of Otho Fabricius, and is a much more delicate animal than the
Aurelia aurita, differing from it also in size, proportions, and ocelli. The umbrella is much
more shallow, and never attains one fourth of the dimensions. The margin and arms are
fringed with white tentacles, so that when the animal is seen in the water it appears as if
conspicuously marked by a white cross. The ovaries are of a pale or tawny purple. The
egg-shaped bodies of the ocelli are white, with a red spot above. This is probably the Medusa
cruciata of some authors. There is no figure of it published.
Genus PELaciA, Peron and Lesueur.
3. Until the autumn of 1826, no example of Pe/agia had occurred in the British
seas; in August of that year, several specimens of the Pelagia cyanella, one of the most
beautiful and phosphorescent Medusze of the Atlantic, were taken by Mr. M‘Andrew and
myself, off the coast of Cornwall. The disk is sub-globose, and measures nearly three inches
across. It is tinged with a rich rose colour, and is speckled over, especially at the sides, by
small orange warts. Its margin is scalloped into sixteen lobes, from beneath eight of which
spring as many highly contractile, purple, tubular tentacula, and in the notches of the other
six, are eight red, protected, pedunculated ocelli. From the centre of the sub-umbrella hangs
a thick peduncle, which soon divides into four lanceolate, winged and furbelowed, rose-
coloured, orange-spotted arms, nearly four inches in length. Around the bases of the arms
are the openings above the four purple ovaries. A full description and figure of this beautiful
species, will be found in the Annals of Natural History, vol. xix, p. 390, pl. 9, fig. 5.
When the Pelagia phosphoresces, it seems like a great globe of fire in the water, an
appearance familiar to those who have sailed on the coast of Italy, where animals of this
genus are common.
CYAN AA. 77
Genus Curysaora, Peron.
4. The Medusa fusca and M. tuberculata of Pennant, described by him after Borlase,
are varieties of the animal called Medusa hysoscella by Linneus, and belong to the genus
Chrysaora of Peron. The umbrella is hemispherical and expanded; its margin is festooned,
and furnished with more than eight tentacula. The arms beneath are long, simple, and all
separate; the mouth is centrally in the midst of their bases. Four openings conduct to the ovaries.
Our British species has a yellowish or reddish disk, marked with more or less distinct pale
rays, and often spotted with brown at the margin. It attains considerable dimensions. It
varies much; Peron constituted seven spurious species out of its varieties. A good figure
after an original drawing by Milne Edwards, may be found in the commemorative edition of
Cuvier’s Regne Animal.
Genus RuizosToma, Cuvier.
5. The Rhixostoma pulmo (R. Aldrovandi and Cuvieri of Peron) is one of the largest
of European Medusz, its disk growing to two feet, or even more, across. The umbrella is
hemispherical, thick, and of a bluish hue, scalloped at the margin. Beneath is a thick peduncle,
dividing into eight, long, tapering arms. At their bases are great, fringed, ovarian lobes,
tinted with yellow and purple. It is usually stated to be plentiful on the English shores, but
I have seldom met with it.
Genus CassropEa, Peron.
6. The Medusa lunulata of Pennant, Urtica marina octopedalis of Borlase, is a species
of Cassiopea. It is the Cassiopea Borlasea of Peron, and C. rhixostomoidea of Tilesius.
The disk is large, wide, depressed, and campanulate; the margin scalloped, but not ten-
taculated. There are eight ovaries below, opening by as many orifices, and eight pinnated
arms with furbelowed appendages at their bases. A good figure of this species is given by
Tilesius, in the Act. Acad. Nat. Cur. vol. xv, pl. 71. It is named on the plate C. anglica.
Genus Cyan £4, Peron.
7. Next to the Aurelia aurita, the commonest Medusa of our seas, is the large Cyanea
capillata, formidable on account of its stinging power. The disk is wide, and nearly flat, of
a pale yellow or tawny colour, deeply scalloped at the margin into sixteen quadrate lobes,
between each pair of which, in a deep notch, is a conspicuous pedunculated ocellus. Eight
brownish rays proceed towards these ocelli, from a circle of reticulated, quadrate, brown mark-
ings, giving the whole disk a beautifully stellate appearance, depending on the arrangement
78 CYANEA.
of the organs on the sub-umbrella, which is furnished with long, plicated, and furbelowed
membranous arms, and fasciculi of extremely extensile, stinging, filamentary tentacles. The
varieties of this Cyanea have been made into numerous spurious species by Peron.
8. Cyanca Lamarckii, Peron. Not quite so common as the last, though very frequent
in the Irish sea. It is easily distinguished by its more convex disk, of a deep ferruginous hue
in the centre, and divided at the margin into eight four-lobed triangular lobes, the eye notches
at their apices. The ovaries are of a rose colour. It stings equally severely with C. capillata.
Better figures of both these Medusa are wanted. For one of the former, the memoir of
Gaede, in the ‘Bonn Transactions,’ may be consulted; the latter is represented in the
92d plate of the ‘ Encyclopédie Méthodique, Vers’ (copied from Dicquemare).
All the genera and species of higher Pulmograda are distinguished from the lower forms,
to the description of which this treatise is devoted, by a much greater complexity of structure,
especially in the vascular system and organs of sense, and also in the arrangements of the
reproductive system. The vessels branch and anastomose; the ocelli are protected by
complicated coverings, and are themselves of more perfect organization ; the generative glands
are more highly developed in the Steganopthalmata than in the Gymnopthalmata. We have
no instance of the Medusa or perfect state of the former propagating itself by gemmation,
whilst such a mode of procreation occurs in several cases, as we have seen, among the
latter. Taking one character with another, then, we cannot doubt that the Pulmograda
Steganopthalmata are higher in the series than the Pulmograda Gymnopthalmata. This is
borne out by an examination of the phases of development and metamorphosis of the larva in
the latter. The observations of Sars, Dalyell, Reid, and Steenstrup indicate that the early
stages of the durelig and Cyanee, correspond closely structurally with the perfect condition
of the naked-eyed Pulmogrades.
Hitherto the genera of these two very distinct, yet proximate, tribes have been grouped
together, without much respect to their natural affinities or serial order. Among the more
important attempts at arrangement of the Acalephe, are the systems of Peron and Lesueur,
of Lamarck, Eschscholtz, Cuvier, Blainville, Brandt, and Lesson. In the first of these, all
the Pulmograda are grouped under two tribes, termed agastrie and gastric, the latter being
subdivided into monostomous and polystomous. Such a division is founded on a complete
misapprehension—one which prevailed generally among zoologists, until Milne Edwards
carefully examined the anatomy of Carybdea marsupialis, which, however, in the arrange-
ment under consideration, was placed in the gastric division, owing to the- naturalists who
proposed it having mistaken the whole concavity of the sub-umbrella for a stomach! Geryonia
was, on the contrary, enumerated among agastric genera, the nature of the true stomach,
situated at the extremity of the peduncle in that group not having been recognised. We
find Oceania, which included a heterogeneous assemblage of naked-eyed species, placed side
by side with Pelagia, in a division of the Monostomous Gastric Medusee. The greater number
CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUS#. 79
of the Steganopthalmata are included in the Polystomous section, and the association as a
natural assemblage indistinctly recognised.
The arrangement of Lamarck was no better than that of Peron and Lesueur, and, in some
of the details, inferior, as for instance, in the comprising of the species of Pelagia in his genus
Dianea, associated with numerous forms of Geryonide. All the Pulmograda were grouped
under two great sections, the one characterised by a single mouth, the other by the presence
of several mouths; Lamarck, like Peron, having mistaken the ovarian orifices in certain
Steganopthalmatous species for so many digestive openings.
Eschscholtz, whilst he greatly improved, through his personal experience of the Medusve,
the generic and specific arrangements, went astray as widely as his predecessors when he
attempted their classification. For, as we have already seen, he mistook the ovaries in many
genera for appendages of the digestive system, and regarded such forms as constituting a
great cryptogamic section. Hence he divides all his Discophore—a happily chosen term by
which he designates the Pudmograda—under Discophore phanerocarpe and Discophore
eryptocarpe. But though this was a classification based on false notions of structure, so
true was Eschscholtz’s perception of the natural affinities of the genera, that the covered-eyed
forms are all assembled under his first division, and the naked-eyed under the second. His
minor groups are generally very excellent, though throughout all their characters the great
mistake just mentioned prevails, and consequently nullifies them.
Cuvier assembled all the Pulmograda in the section of Acalephe, which he termed
“ Méduses Propres,” dividing it into five groups, of which the first, “les Equorées,” is
characterised by the presence of a simple short mouth, without tentacula; the second, “les
Pélagies,” by the mouth being prolonged into a peduncle, which becomes divided into arms :
the third, “les Cyanées,” in which the mouth is central, and there are four lateral ovaries ;
the fourth, “les Rhizostomes,” in which there is no conspicuous mouth, nourishment being
derived through the ramifications of the peduncle, the ovaries four or more; and the fifth,
“les Astomes,” without central mouth, or ramified peduncle, or distinct cavities for the
ovaries. His first and last tribes included the naked-eyed species. The whole arrangement
is a mistake, founded on misapprehension of the value of characters in the order. The groups
are neither natural nor of equal systematic value. The classifications of Peron and of
Eschscholtz, though founded on mistakes as great, if not greater, are much superior to those
of Cuvier and Lamarck, doubtless owing to the superior practical acquaintance of the former
naturalists with the objects under arrangement. Cuvier’s personal knowledge of the
Discophoree seems to have been limited to two or three of the higher species ; Lamarck had
probably no experience in this tribe. Peron, Lesueur, and Eschscholtz had observed and
studied numerous forms in the living state, and consequently, though of inferior order of mind
to the former great naturalists, came nearer the truth in their systems, because their know-
ledge was sound and practical, and not gained at second-hand.
The arrangement of the Pulmograda proposed by De Blainville, is likewise the result of
book-study, and not of sea-research, and is consequently objectionable. He divides them
80 CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUSA.
into simple, tentaculate, sub-proboscidean, proboscidean, and branched. In the last section
are assembled the covered-eyed species. The juxtaposition of Aquorea and Obelia in the
second section, of Thaumantias and Conis in the third, and of Hippocrene and Dianea
in the fourth, are instances of the unnatural way in which the genera are distributed in this
otherwise ingenious system.
Brandt, who appears to have founded his studies among Meduse chiefly upon the
drawings and notes of Mertens, divided the Discophore into Monostomous and Polystomous,
subdividing the former into Oceanide, in which we find Circe and Conis placed together,
Aquoride and Meduside, the latter including the covered-eyed species very naturally
assembled, except the Rhizostomide, which, along with the Geryonide (in which tribe he
includes Hippocrene), constitute the polystomous section; so that it is evident this eminent
author did not clearly perceive the affinities of the several groups.
Lesson, who, besides an extensive acquaintance with living forms, had the advantage of
being last in the field, arranged the Discophore under four groups: Ist, “Les Méduses
non-proboscidées,” in which we find several families, including genera, juxtaposed, having no
immediate affinity; 2d, “Les Océanides ou Méduses vrais,” including Aiquorea and its allies,
with a heterogeneous assemblage of forms in the genus Oceania ; 3d, “ Méduses agaricines
ou proboscidées’’—here are Sarsia, Dianea, Geryonia, Tima, Thaumantias, &c., the group
being in the main equal to my Geryonide, though some genera, as Saphenia, are brought
into it far away from their fellows; and 4th, ““M/éduses a pédoncule central ou Rhizostomées,”
consisting entirely of the covered-eyed species, much more naturally assembled together than
in any of the preceding classifications,-except those of Peron and Eschscholtz, a personal
familiarity with the objects he describes, having led Lesson, as it did them, to similar arrange-
ments of the more conspicuous tribes.
All the authors I have just cited, regard the Discophore, or Pulmograda, as a separate
division of the Acalephe, or Arachnodermata, the whole class bemg distinct from the
Zoophyta. Recent discoveries, however, would go far to show that such a separation is
unnatural, and that the hydroid Zoophytes, at least, are very closely allied, if not belonging,
to the same natural order with the Pulmograde Medusze.
On the side of the Zoophyta, the facts bearing on this question have been chiefly derived
from the families Corynide, Tubulariade, and the genus Campanularia. More than a
century ago, when the nature of Zoophytes, whether animal or vegetable, was under dis-
cussion, Bernard de Jussieu, who pronounced rightly for their animal origin, described
certain little round, red, pedunculated bodies, encircling the head of the Tubularia. Nearly
half a century after, Otto Frederic Muller observed similar bodies around the head of the
Coryne, and maintained that they were eggs, and for an equal period this view of their nature
was generally received. In the year 1833, Professor Rudolph Wagner gave an account* of
the production of medusiform bodies in a Zoophyte of the Adriatic, the Coryne aculeata,
which bodies he regarded as the young of the animal, although they themselves contained
* In Oken’s Isis, for 1833.
CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUSA. 81
eggs. In 1835, Sars represented medusiform bodies similarly produced, from the bases
of the tentacula of the Corymorpha nutans ; in this case the Medusoids closely resembled
Steenstrupia.* In the same year, Dr. Loven observed the formation of Medusoids on the
Syncoryne, the animals produced being very similar to Medusze of the genus Sarsia. About
the same time, Sir John Graham Dalyell described the formation of Medusa-like buds on
Tubularia. In 1840, Professor Steenstrup, when in Iceland, found a polype, which he named
Coryne fritillaria, from whose head bell-shaped bodies, closely resembling our Steenstrupia
in form, hang, and were regarded by him as individual animals.t In 1843, M. F. Dujardin
communicated to the ‘Annales des Sciences Naturelles’ a Short but interesting paper, “ On a
New Genus of Médusaires, proceeding from the Metamorphosis of Syncoryne.’ He calls
the parent animal Stauridia, and the medusoid, which he saw detach itself and swim away,
Cludonema. He remarks, that it is closely allied to the genera Oceania, Thaumantias,
and Cyteis. In 1844, Professor van Beneden, of Louyain, published his ‘Researches on the
Embryogeny of the Tubulariz ;’ and in his memoir described and figured medusiform-bodies
produced from species of Zubularia, Eudendrium, and Syncoryna. Those of the last-named
genus resembled Sarsz@ ; those of the two former had close affinities with Zizzia, especially
the medusoid of Ludendrium. In 1846, Sars, in his ‘ Fauna Littoralis Norwegie,’ figured the
medusoids of Syncoryna Sarsii, Podocoryna carnea, and Perigonymus muscoides, all closely
resembling Sarsie. That of the Podocoryna comes very near the Medusa papillata figured
by Abildgaard in the ‘ Zoologia Danica.’
Similar observations have been made, from time to time, on the Campanularia. Ellis
appears to have been the first to notice the productions of Medusoids in that tribe, though
he evidently did not understand what he saw. In 1834, Mr. Lister communicated his
valuable microscopic observations on Zoophytes to the Royal Society, and in his paper
describes and figures Medusa-like animals in course of production from Campanularie. In
1836, Sir John Graham Dalyell distinctly proved and made known the production from
Campanularie of free animals like true Meduse. He named the creature “ Animalculum
tintinnabulum.’+ In 1839, Nordman announced his observation of the free Medusa condition
of young Campanularig.§ In 1843, Van Beneden, in his ‘Memoirs on the Campanulariz
of the Coast of Ostend, entered into full details on the subject. The figure which he
gives of the medusoids in this tribe reminds us strikingly of Zima and Geryonia. He remarks
that the W/edusa marina of Slabber, the type of the genus Obelia of Peron and Lesueur,
is a young Campanularia. During the same year, similar phenomena were observed by
Kolliker.
Various interpretations were offered of these phenomena. Many zoologists followed
Muller, and regarded them as eggs. Others held them to be gemmules. Ehrenberg put
forth the strange theory that they were female polypes, a view supported by Léven and
Krohn. Van Beneden considered them young budding polypes, a notion held previously by
* Besk. og Jagt., pl. 1, fig. 3, g, 3, f.
+ Steenstrup, Alternation of Generations, Mr. Busk’s Translation, p. 27, pl. 1, fig. 41-3. (Ray
Society.)
t Ed. New. Phil. Journ., vol. xxi.
§ Comptes Rendus, 1839.
82 CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUSA.
Dalyell, and supported by Kolliker. Dr. Johnston maintained the same view of their nature.
Steenstrup struck out a most original and distinct speculation, holdmg them to be alternate
generations, produced by gemmation from a dissimilar parent, and producing eggs from which
should spring dissimilar children.
In all instances where a Medusa has been observed originating from a hydroid polype,
the new animal bears the closest resemblance to a naked-eyed Medusa,—a resemblance not
merely of external form, but also of internal structure. Indeed, in many cases it would be
impossible to draw a line between the two.
Is it desirable to draw such a line? Are not the so-called Zoophytes and Medusz animals
of the same section? Discoveries exactly comparable, and still more wonderful, have shown
that the higher Meduse themselves afford instances of parallel phenomena. We now know for
certain—all the stages of the history having been demonstrated—through the researches of
Sars, Dalyell, Siebold, Steenstrup, Price, and Reid, that the ova of the covered-eyed Meduse,
belonging to the genera 4urelia, Chrysaora, and Cyanea, give rise to polypoid animals, which
in their turn originate individual Medusze by fission—or, more properly, as Dr. Carpenter
has well suggested, by a peculiar process of gemmation. The higher genera of Discophore,
therefore, are closely linked, anatomically and physiologically, with the Anthoxoa hydroida
among the polypes. Assuredly any separation of such nearly allied animals, especially the
placing of them in different classes, is exceedingly unnatural.
In what light are we to regard the relationship between the Medusa and the Polype? The
one is not the larva of the other, as often improperly said, because there is no metamorphosis
of the one into the other. The first is the parent of the last, and the last of the first, but neither
is a stage of an individual’s existence destined to begin life as a Medusa and end it a Polype,
and vice versd. The notion that the Medusoid of the Campanularia, or Coryne, or Tubularia,
fixes itself, and changes into the typical forms of those zoophytic groups, is as inadmissible as
the supposition that the hydroid product of the Aurelia is metamorphosed into a Medusa of
that genus. Facts show that such is not the case. These facts may be summed, in the
abstract, in the following formule :—
Ist. The case of Tubularia and Campanularia.
a. The medusoid produces eggs.
b. The eggs produce infusoria.
c. The infusoria fix and become polypidoms.
d. The polypes of these polypidoms produce medusoids.
2d. The case of Aurelia, §c.
a. The medusa produces eggs.
b. The eggs produce infusoria.
c. The infusoria fix and become hydroid polypes.
d. The hydroid polypes produce medusee by gemmation.
CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUS. 83
3d. The case of Coryne, Se.
a. The zoophyte produces medusze by gemmation.
b. The medusz produce eggs.
c. The eggs produce infusoria.
d. The infusoria fix and become zoophytes.
4th. The case of Lizxia and Sarsia.
a. The medusa produces medusz by gemmation.
(The remaining stages as yet unobserved, but probahly)—
b. The medusee produce eggs.
c. The eggs produce infusoria.
d. The infusoria fix as polypes, and produce medusz.
With such facts—unquestioned facts—before us, it seems to me that we have no choice
between theories, and that we must admit the idea of “ Alternation of Generations” to be true.
Steenstrup was assuredly the first naturalist who announced that idea as a general fact
dependent on a law. “The special subject of this Essay’—I quote from the author’s preface
to the German version of his celebrated work, as translated by Mr. Busk—“ is the funda-
mental idea expressed by the words ‘4lternation of Generations, or the remarkable, and
till now inexplicable, natural phenomenon of an animal producing an offspring, which at no
time resembles its parent, but which, on the other hand, itself brings forth a progeny, which
"returns in its form and nature to the parent animal, so that the maternal animal does not meet
with its resemblance in its own brood, but in its descendants of the second, third, or fourth
degree of generation; and this always takes place in the different animals which exhibit the
phenomena in a determinate generation, or with the intervention of a determinate number of
generations. This remarkable precedence of one or more generations, whose function it is, as
it were, to prepare the way for the later succeeding generation of animals destined to attain
a higher degree of perfection, and which are developed into the form of the mother, and
propagate the species by means of ova, can, I believe, be demonstrated in not a few instances
in the animal kingdom.”
The main position thus stated appears to me sound and true: the assumption of a definite
regularity in the alternations is a secondary and non-essential one, and true probably when
disturbing conditions are not at work. But numerous observations, especially those of
Dalyell,* Reid,t and Price,{ show that under peculiar circumstances, in what may be termed
unnatural situations, the polype generations may go on continually producing polype genera-
tions ; and those of Sars and myself, on the other hand, that a Medusa generation may go on
producing Medusa generations; although, under normal conditions in each instance, there is
every reason to suppose that zoophytic and Medusoid forms would have regularly alternated.
I am anxious to bear testimony to the value of the idea enunciated by Steenstrup,
because I believe it has given a strong impulse in a right direction to Invertebrate Zoology.
* Remarkable Animals of Scotland.
+ Annals of Nat. Hist., Second Series, vol. i.
t British Association Report, 1846, p, 86.
84 CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUS#.
It is not a vague generalization founded merely on book-reading, but an induction interpreted
by a naturalist combining the philosophic spirit with the requisite observing power,—equally
capable of, and practised in, minute specific research and speculative studies. The Ray
Society did great service to British science when it sent out a translation of the remarkable
essay alluded to under the able superintendence of Mr. Busk. This, I am sure, the most
severe critic upon Steenstrup who has yet appeared—my distinguished and learned friend
Dr. Carpenter—would be the first to admit, and it were greatly to be desired that some other
critics on the publications of our Society had a tithe of his knowledge, reasoning power, and
gentlemanly spirit.
In a review, ‘‘on the Development and Metamorphoses of Zoophytes,’* devoted chiefly
and most honorably to rendering justice to the untiring labours of Sir John Graham Dalyell,
the worthy representative of Spallanzani among living naturalists, Dr. Carpenter has opposed
in strong terms the views of Steenstrup, and, it seems to me, has not done justice—uninten-
tionally without doubt—to the labours and theory of the Danish naturalist.
Thus the omission zz limine of the name of Steenstrupt in the list (“ Sars, Siebold,
Loven, and Van Beneden”) of principal practical continental observers of the phenomena upon
which the theory of that author, and the new interpretation proposed by Dr. Carpenter, are
based, is not right, since it conveys the impression to the reader that the Danish zoologist
theorized on this subject from the researches of others only ; whereas, in reality, some of the
most valuable observations on the polypiform transformations, were those made by Steenstrup
himself, detailed in the second chapter of his Essay—that on the “development of the claviform
polypes.” In fact, so far as the subject of this Monograph is concerned, the observations
referred to, and those of Dujardin (whose name has also been inadvertently omitted by the
reviewer), are more important than any others in establishing the affinity of the naked-eyed
Medusa with the Corynoid Polypes. Moreover, the discoveries and researches among the
Entozoa, announced in the ‘ Essay on the Alternation of Generations,’ are the fruits of its
author’s special observation, and among the strongest pillars of the edifice which he has built.
Let not any one suppose, then, that Steenstrup ingeniously constructed a mere closet-theory.
I doubt much whether any hypothesis or theory in natural history of any value in fostering the
progress of the science—and may it not be said, too, of other sciences of observation ?—was
ever eliminated, otherwise than as a dim dream,—dimmer to its author often, than even to other
men,—by any one not a practical worker in the field where he would raise his speculations ;
not merely an occasional visitor, but a day-labourer in science. Goethe has been cited as an
objection, but Goethe himself would have rejected with indignation the reputation of being a
discoverer of laws in natural history, without having undergone a severe apprenticeship of
practical study. The great poet who so clearly enunciated the morphology of the vegetable
individual (unaware of the previous and clear, though premature as to time, announcement of
the law by Linnzeus), and attempted to work out a like idea in the vertebrate skeleton, warmly
contended that the doctrines he put forth were not sudden inspirations and lucky guesses, but
the results of long continued and laborious study. The names which shine brightest in our
science for their elucidation of its philosophy from the time of Aristotle to that of Linneus,
* British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review, No. I (1848).
+ Loe. cit., p. 10.
CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUS.
op
or
and from that of Linnzus to the epoch of Robert Brown and Cuvier, are those of practical
naturalists. In their names, and in the names of many eminent men, happily enrolled in the
list of the Ray Society, I protest against the doctrine that naturalists (properly so called) are
only to “record exactly what they see, and leave it to others to estimate the value of their
facts, and to build upon them such inferences as they may think proper.”*
Dr. Carpenter remarks, on the theory of Steenstrup, as follows: “ We regard this as a
very premature, erroneous, and limited expression of the real facts; and shall endeavour, in
the course of our exposition, to show what is the real truth of the matter. The proposition,
in the form enunciated by Steenstrup, is totally inapplicable to the vegetable kingdom; anda
strong suspicion of its incorrectness is suggested by that simple circumstance, inasmuch as it
is chiefly based upon the phenomena presented by those tribes of animals which have most
in common with plants in their general structure and history.”
The reader of this passage might suppose, if he had not previously read Steenstrup’s
Essay, that the Danish naturalist had not taken the phenomena of the vegetable kingdom into
consideration when stating his proposed law; nor do I find in the review, although the
phenomena of vegetation are abundantly cited in favour of the reviewer's opinions, any
reference made to the fact, that Steenstrup had not only cited them in illustration of his theory,
but regarded them as presenting the strongest evidences in its favour. The last passage of
his concluding chapter—that ‘‘on the real nature of the alternating generations,” runs as
follows :—
“T conclude with the remark, that, inasmuch as in the system of ‘ nursing,’ the whole
advancement of the welfare of the young is effected only by a still and peaceful organic
activity, is only a function of the vegetative life of the individual, so also, all those forms of
animals in whose development the ‘xwsing’ system obtains, actually remind us of the
propagation and vital cycle of plants. For it is peculiar to plants, and as it were their special
characteristic, that the germ, the primordial individual in the vegetation or seed, is competent
to produce individuals which are again capable of producing seeds or individuals of the
primary form, or that to which the plant owed its origin, only by the intervention of a whole
series of generations. It is certainly the great triumph of morphology, that it is able to show
how the plant or tree (that colony of individuals arranged in accordance with a simple
vegetative principle or fundamental law) unfolds itself through a frequently long succession
of generations, into individuals becoming constantly more and more perfect, until, after the
immediately precedent generation, it appears as calyx and corolla, with perfect male and
female individuals ; stamens and pistils—and after, the fructification brings forth seed, which
again goes through the same course. It is this great and significant resemblance to the
vegetable kingdom, which, in my opinion, is presented by the entfoxoa and all nurse genera-
tions (amme), and to which I have alluded in the preceding Essay ; I might almost say, that
the condition of continued dependence incidental to the animal life, is, to a certain extent, one
of less perfection than that which is presented in the progressive elevation in development
effected by the agency of the vegetative life.” +
This remarkable passage had surely escaped the notice of the reviewer; for in it the
ee Ocscite, Pear
+ Ray Society’s Translation of the Alternation of Generations, p 114.
56 CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUSA.
argument drawn from analogy between the animal and vegetable kingdom, is as clearly and fully
expressed as in the sentences I am about to cite from the review itself. Indeed it was very
unlikely that a Lecturer on Botany* would allow such obvious analogies to escape him.
The theory enunciated by Dr. Carpenter, and proposed to be substituted for that of
Steenstrup, has special reference to the Medusze and Polypes, and is stated in the following
passages :
“The fertilized ovum of the medusa-parent is like the seed of the plant; and the polype
that grows from it resembles the first leaf-bud into which the embryo expands. From this bud
are at first produced others, by the process of continuous growth, which are repetitions of
itself; these in the plant usually remain connected with each other so as to form a compound
structure, and so they do also in the ordinary zoophyte; but in the common hydra, and in
the hydraform medusa-larva, they become detached like the bulbels of the marchantia or lily.
But under certain conditions, a new and different set of buds, containing a sexual apparatus,
are produced ; these, too, become detached, and, by their herent powers of movement, they
convey the germs of a new generation toa distance from the parent stock. The whole of these
phenomena appear to us to constitute but a single generation, instead of two, as represented
by Steenstrup. We are not in the habit of speaking of the leaf-buds and the flower-buds of a
plant as of two distinct generations ; nor, if our comparison be correct, have we any ground
for giving such a designation to the polypoid larva, and the medusa-imago, which are con-
tinuous developments from the same germ. Hence the whole doctrine of the ‘ alternation of
generations,’ falls to the ground, so far as this individual case is concerned; the phenomena
being simply those of metamorphosis or change of form, attending the evolution of successive
products from the same original germ. The metamorphosis is not really so great as that
which presents itself in the course of the development of any one of the higher organisms,
the several parts of which depart more widely from each other, and from the early embryonic
cell-cluster, than do the polype-buds and medusa-buds we have been describing. The chief
difference lies in the capacity of the latter to maintain a separate and independent existence ;
a capacity which is evidently connected with their low type of organization.” (Review
cited, p. 23.)
And again, in the recapitulation (at p. 29)—“ The true 7ydra, which may be regarded as
uniting the general form and structure of the polype with the locomotive powers and dis-
positions of the medusa, propagates in both the modes characteristic of the vegetable
kingdom ; namely, by gemmation, and by the production of ova. The buds are not destined
to remain in continuity with the parent, but are thrown off like the bulbels of certain plants ;
having previously acquired, however, the form of the parent. The ova also are developed
into polypes resembling the parent. The usual mode of propagation is here by bulbels; the
ova bemg destined apparently to continue the race through the winter season, the cold of
which might be fatal to the parents.
“In other cases, however, we find a greater specialization of characters ; the locomotive
and proper generative apparatus being especially developed in the J/eduse ; whilst the true
polypoid condition presents its most complete evolution in the plant-like Sertularide, yet
these two groups are not to be dissociated from one another ; for each of them, in one of its
* Professor Stecnstrup was Lecturer on Botany and Mineralogy in the Academy of Sorée.
CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUSZ. 87
stages of development, presents the characters of the other. The J/edusa begins life as a
polype; as a polype it is attached; as a polype it grasps and digests its food; as a polype it
reproduces parts that have been removed ; and as a polype it propagates by gemmation ; the
buds being detached from the parent as soon as they have acquired the form of the latter,
and are capable of maintaining an independent existence. But in this condition it forms no
ova. A new and distinct series of buds (flower-buds) is produced for this purpose; these
buds are detached like the preceding ; they become developed into perfect Medusz, in which
state alone they have been known until recently ; and from these Medusz are produced ova
by a true sexual process, which are first evolved into the polypoid form,and go through the
series of changes just enumerated.” (p. 30.)
In this theory, proposed by Dr. Carpenter for adoption instead of that of Steenstrup, I
can see only verbal differences. The main facts upon what Steenstrup built his proposed
law are not denied. It is admitted that a polype may produce a Medusa by gemmation, and
that the egg of the Medusa may produce an animal altogether different from itself, but like
the polype which produced it. The reviewer admits an alternation of forms, but he denies
that they are generations which alternate. Yet in the ordinary sense of the word generation,
as here applied by Steenstrup, they must either be such or be the same individual. A father
belongs to one generation, a son to a second, a grandson to a third—at least, this has been the
case hitherto, as far as my knowledge goes. Surely the first polype represents one generation,
the offspring of that polype a second, and the offspring of that offspring a third. And if so,
the middle term here being a Medusa and not a polype, and its offspring a polype again,
which produces a Medusa, we are warranted to speak of an alternation of dissimilar genera-
tions. It does not affect the question, if they be regarded as individuals, whether they are
produced by gemmation or from ova; nor whether we hold with Sars that we have not an
alternation of animals of distinct classes, but of fixed and free animals of the same class. It
is not the less an alternation of dissimilar generations.
But when Dr. Carpenter says that the phenomena are simple metamorphoses not really
so great as those which present themselves in the course of the development of any one of
the higher organisms—“ the several parts of which depart more widely from each other, and
from the early embryonic cell-clusters, than do the polype-buds and Medusa buds we have
been describing”—he may mean, that the Medusz produced by gemmation are not distinct
individuals, but parts of some one capable of maintaining a separate and independent
existence. If so, he has certainly enunciated a new theory altogether distinct from that of
Steenstrup, but one so opposed to ordinary notions of individuality among the lower animals,
that few, if any, naturalists will assent to it until more fully and satisfactorily stated.
To argue that, because “ we are not in the habit of speaking of the leaf-buds and the
flower-buds of a plant as of two distinct generations,” we are, therefore, not to regard the
alternations of polypes and Medusz as such, is to bring the common, popular, unscientific,
and untrue notion of the nature of a plant into a scientific discussion on the nature of animals.
We are not in the habit of regarding a leaf as an individual—popularly, we look upon the
whole plant as an individual. Yet every botanist knows that it is a combination of individuals
and if so, each successive series of buds must certainly be strictly regarded as generations.
The first generation of a Lupine, for instance, is the pair of individuals constituting the
cotyledons of the embryo, dissimilar from the second generation, which consists of the several
88 CLASSIFICATION OF MEDUSA.
phytons comprising the first bud or plumule. A series of similar buds may be produced
until one of different aspect is developed, composed of a generation of altogether different
individuals, through whose agency the foundation of a new series of generations is laid in the
formation of the ovum or seed. Whether we style the members of one generation nurses, or
call them all by the same name, does not matter so far as the fact and law of an alternation
of generations is concerned.
I see no reason therefore to dissent from the theory of Steenstrup; it is the simplest and
most intelligible, as well as most original expression hitherto offered of the astonishing facts
which he was the first to generalize. Granting it, we can no longer adopt the usually
accepted classification of Radiate animals, nor separate them into Echinodermata, Acalephe,
Zoophyta, and Sponges, as so many distinct and equal orders; but must unite the dealephe
with the Zoophyta, excluding from the latter the Bryoxoa which are polypoid Zunicata.
The Acalephe or Arachnodermata must undergo reconstruction, for the Polypes cannot even
be regarded as forming a primary division when united with the usual members of this great
section. They evidently form part of a sub-class with the Discophore, equal to the sub-
classes, Ciliograda, Cirrhigrada, and Physograda. The Discophore must again undergo
subdivision into orders. The Anthoxoa will stand first, next the Steganopthalmata, then the
Gymnopthalmata, and lastly the Hydroida. That the Anthoxoa are intimately related to the
Medusz is evident to any unprejudiced naturalist who has studied the structure of Lucernaria,
or of the Actineade, especially of any floating form of the last tribe, such as the Arachnactis
of Sars. The close affinity of these tribes has been excellently treated of in an Essay by
Drs. Frey and Leuckart, who, after comparing organ with organ in the Anthoxoa, the several
usually received orders of Acalephe and the Polypes, observe, in conclusion, that these various
tribes ought no longer to be placed apart in a natural system. ‘They rather go towards
constituting a larger section, having one common type of structure—a type chiefly charac-
terised by the peculiar arrangements of the viscera and the stomachal cavity.” They
propose to designate such division by the name of COLENTERATA.*
Even among the animals figured and described in this Monograph, we see abundant
evidences of the close affinity of the Medusze, on the one hand, with hydroid polypes ; on the
other, with the Anthozoa. The Steenstrupie are in all probability Medusa-generations of some
corynoid polype, yet, through Zuphysa, they are intimately related with Sarsia, and through
Sarsia with Slabberia, whence the affinities upwards are easily traced. The Zurris digitahs,
on the other hand, closely reminds us of an Actinea; so nearly, that when I first found a
specimen, I mistook it for an animal of that genus.
Thus, in the end, we revert, curiously enough, to the views of the affinities of these
animals proposed by Aristotle, who plainly included, under the designation of axkaAngn, both
Actinee and Meduse ; not from any vague guess, or in compliance with the popular recognition
of their resemblances, but from a careful study of their structure and habits, as the varied
notices of them preserved to us in the first, fourth, fifth, eighth, and ninth books of the ‘ History
of Animals,’ prove beyond question.
* Frey and Leuckart’s Beitrage, p. 38.
I shall conclude with a few remarks on the best methods of studying and preserving the
Naked-eyed Medusz.
They are to be sought for in summer and autumn, when the weather is warm and dry, and
the sea calm and clear. They abound, within reach, mostly in the afternoon and towards night-
fall—probably also during the night, though not then so near the surface of the water. A small
bag of fine muslin, attached to a metal ring, is the best instrument by which to take them,
and may be used either as a hand-net fixed to the end of a stick or pole, or as a tow-net
suspended over the stern of a vessel, when at anchor, or making very gentle way through
the water. My friend Professor Acland took great numbers at Oban, by attaching a tow-net
to the buoy in the bay, and leaving it there during the night. They abound most in sheltered
bays near strong tideways or headlands projecting into the Atlantic. The majority
being oceanic, they are most numerous and varied on those parts of our shores which are
touched by oceanic currents. Hitherto the Zetlands, Hebrides, and coasts of Cornwall have
yielded the greater number of species. Many new forms may be expected to occur on the
Atlantic coasts of Ireland. Indeed, I fully expect that the number of British species will be
doubled within the next ten years, now that attention is directed to these beautiful little
animals.
When the tow-net is taken out of the sea it is to be carefully reversed, and its contents
gently emptied into a basin or glass jar, filled with clear salt water. It is best to plunge the
net beneath the surface when being emptied, as thus the Medusze are enabled to detach
themselves from the threads, and swim away without injury. When the net is out of the water,
they appear like little, adhering, shapeless masses of clear jelly, and exhibit no traces of their
elegant form and ornaments. When in the jar or basin, they are often, on account of their
extreme transparency, very difficult to distinguish, but by placing the vessel in the sun, or
beside a strong artificial light, we see their shadows floating over the sides and bottom of the
basin, like the shadows of flitting clouds ona landscape. These soon guide us to the creatures
themselves, and before long we distinguish their ocelli and coloured reproductive organs.
The next step is to secure such as we wish to examine closely, and transfer them to watch-
glasses or small glass tubes. To do this is often not an easy task, for when alarmed they
are extremely agile and alert; so that if we attempt to capture them with a teaspoon, they
usually escape us, or if taken, by their slippery nature, slide out of the spoon whilst we pour
away the superabundant water. This difficulty may be got over by using a small but deep
glass spoon, with its handle set very obliquely. When we have placed some in a glass tube
with a little water, or in a small compressed glass jar, which I find an excellent aid in exa-
mining them, we can observe their profile, the changes their body undergoes when
contracting and expanding, and the extent to which the creature can lengthen its tentacula.
We then place them in a watch-glass and submit them to microscopic examination,
carefully noting the number, colour, form, and structure of the ocelli and tentacula, the
arrangement of the gastro-vascular canals and reproductive glands, and the form and
12
90 PRESERVATION OF MEDUS#.
structure of the central peduncle. Conveying our prizes then to a dark place, we irritate
them, and observe whether they phosphoresce or not, of what colour the light is, and how
long it endures.
In every case a drawing, as careful and detailed as possible, and always coloured, should
be made at the time. This is the more necessary, since they are animals extremely difficult
to preserve, shrivelling up into indistinguishable curd-like masses in spirits, and most
preserving fluids. In fact, the only specimens which I have seen preserved in a distinguishable
state, have been so by means of one of Mr. Goadby’s fluids. When Mr. Goadby accompanied
Mr. M‘Andrew, in 1837, on a cruise among the Hebrides and Zetlands, he made many
experiments on the preservation of these delicate creatures, and succeeded so well that I have
been able to distinguish among them even the several species of the critical genus 7haumantias.
I do not despair of seeing, before very long, a series of these creatures so preserved exhibited
in the British Museum, and contributing to render more perfect the finest natural-history
collection in the world. The indefatigable director of the zoological department in that truly
national establishment, will yet, I trust, sanction such an addition, and, as he no longer
remains a sceptic in bones or disbeliever in spirits, may consistently extend his faith to
Goadby’s fluid.
Nore.—KInpdLY COMMUNICATED BY Mr. Goapby.
To preserve the Acalephe.—These animals contain so large a quantity of water, that they
require great care and attention to preserve them.
The B fluid of itself is not enongh for the purpose, the assistance of alum being imperatively
necessary to give firmness and support to the several tissues.
The plan that I adopted with great success was the following: 1. e.
Make a saturated solution of bay salt, and when cold, test it with a specific-gravity bubble
prepared for that purpose.
When required for use, dilute it (with water) to 1148, indicated by another bubble so marked.
To this latter fluid add alum, at the rate of 3ij to every quart of fluid, and dilute the whole to 5 strength
with water. Pour this into a dish, and empty the contents of the tow-net (containing the well-drained
specimens of Acalephz) into it, and let them macerate therein for twenty-four hours, by which time
they will be found saturated with the fluid, and at the bottom of the dish. If the specimens be small,
they should now be moved, and placed in fluid consisting of dissolved bay salt, only to the strength of
1148, as the alum destroys transparency.
Large specimens of the Acalephe, as Aurelia, &c., offer exceptions to this rule; they may be
allowed to remain in aluminous fluid (to be changed daily) of the strength described, or somewhat
increased by additions of stronger saline finid, for a longer period (two or three weeks), but ultimately
they, too, must be removed from the continued influence of alum, and kept in the bay salt fluid, of not
less strength than before described, viz. 1148.
The fluid should be tested with the bubble daily, and its strength made up by additions of the
saturated solution, until it obey the test for several consecutive days, when endosmose and exosmose being
at an end, the process of preservation may be considered complete.
For permanent preservation, corrosive sublimate should be added to the preserving fluid, in the
proportion of grains ij per quart of fluid, but its use is unnecessary in the early stages of preservation.
I did not employ it until the collection of last summer was complete, and on shore. Neither is it
essential to filter the fluid if time be pressing: at sea, of course, it cannot be done. Finally, marine
animals require for their preservation saline fluid of the specific gravity of 1148. Fresh water and
terrestrial animals are preserved at the diminished strength of 1100; fluids of less strength (respectively)
are insufficient, and greater strength is injurious.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
In order to facilitate the studies of those among my readers who may be inclined to
pursue researches among the Pu/mograda Gymnopthalmata, I have drawn up the following
catalogue raisonné of authors, works, papers, and figures bearing upon the subject, not
confining the notices to British species only, but extending them to all described or figured
forms of Naked-eyed Meduse.
1739. Janus Plancus. ‘ De Conchis minus notis Liber. 4to, Venice.
In this is contained the first figure of the Carybdea marsupialis,—and a very miserable
representation it is,—in Plate iv, f. 5, f, under the description of ‘“ Urtica soluta
Marsupium referens et motus vitaleis manifestissime edens Maris Ariminensis.” The
figure, plate xcui, fig. 9, of the ‘ Encyclopédie Méthodique,’ is sometimes quoted as if it
had been taken from Plancus, and represented the same species (2d ed. of Lamarck,
An, sans Vert., vol. ii, p. 131), but is really copied from Slabber, and represents in all
probability an Oceania.
1746. Linneus. ‘ Fauna Suecica, 1st Ed.
In the first edition of this work three Medusz are enumerated, of which the third is a
naked-eyed species. ‘1288. Medusa orbicula cruce alba picta. Hee omnium minima
est, tota gelatinosa vitrei coloris, discum pingit crux magna alba, ad margines usque
extensa, margo integer est: caret appendicibus omnibus, sc. cavitatibus, pistillis,
staminibus, branchiis.” p. 368,
In the second edition the specific name Cruciata is added.
1758. Linneus. ‘Systema Nature.’ 10th Ed.
Medusa cruciata, M. pilearis, and M. marsupialis, are the naked-eyed species enumerated.
1758. The Rey. W. Borlase published his ‘ Natural History of Cornwall,’ in which there are some of
the earliest figures of British Medusee, but no naked-eyed species is represented by him.
Pennant (British Zoology, vol. iv, 1787) and Turton (British Fauna, 1807) contented
themselves with following Borlase, making no additions to his list.
1760. L. T. Gronow (Gronovius). ‘ Observationes de Animalculis aliquot Marine Aquze Innatantibus
atque in Littoribus Belgicis obviis,” in the ‘ Acta Helvetica,’ vol. iv, p. 38.
In his paper is contained the first notice of Thaumantias hemispherica. The description is
full and good for its time; the figure bad, and scarcely recognisable. Cydippe pileus is
described and figured in the same paper.
1775. P. Forskal. ‘Descriptiones Animalium que in Itinere Orientali observavit Petrus Forskal.
Post mortem auctoris edidit Carsten Niebuhr.’ Havniz, 1775.
Forskal observed and described twelve pulmograde Meduse during his voyage. Of these, five
were inhabitants of the Red Sea, and the remainder of the Mediterranean. Among the
92
1780.
1788.
1788.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
latter are four naked-eyed species, viz. M. proboscidalis (i. e. Dianea proboscidalis)
M. mollicina (Genus?), M. pileata (Oceania pileata), M. equorea (i. e. Alquorea
Forskalina). His descriptions and drawings are very characteristic. The latter were
published in a separate volume, of ‘ Icones.’
Otho Frederic Miiller. ‘Zoologize Danice Prodromus, seu Animalium Danie et Norvegie
Indigenarum Characteres Nomina et Synonyma.’ 8vo, Haynie.
Hight species are enumerated under the genus Medusa in this work. One of them is the
Medusa palliata of Bohadsch, which is an Actinea, being the Adamsia maculata of British
naturalists. Three appear to be naked-eyed Medusee, viz. M. hemispherica, M. bimorpha,
and M. diyitale. The first is the Thaumantias hemispherica ; the second and third were
communicated to Miiller by Otho Fabricius, the latter bemg our Turris digitalis.
Martin Slabber. ‘ Natuurkundige Ver-Gustigingen.’ 4to, Haarlem, 1778.
This work contains several figures of Medusze. Plate ii, figs. 1 and 2, are very bad figures
of Saphenia dinema: six vessels are represented instead of four. Plate xii, figs. 1 and 2,
is the Thaumantias cymbaloidea of authors, and in all probability a bad representation of
T. hemispherica. Plate xii, fig. 13, is either Turris neglecta, or an allied species. Plate
xiv, fig. 1, appears to be an Oceania. The two latter are the Oceania tetranema, and
O. sanguinolenta of Peron and Leseuer.
Otho Fabricius. ‘Fauna Groenlandica,’ 8vo, Hafniz et Lipsiz.
Of the Medusze described in this excellent work, M. digitale is our Turris digitalis ;
M. bimorpha and M. campanula appear also to have been naked-eyed species, though the
latter may possibly have been a young Cyanea.
Olof Swartz, on “ Medusa unguiculata and Actinea pusilla,” in the ‘New Transactions of the
Royal Swedish Academy,’ vol. ix.
The Medusa here described is probably a naked-eyed species, though I confess I do not
clearly understand the figure (not badly executed) given. It is the Linuche unguiculata
of Eschscholtz. Actinea pusilla appears to be a floating animal of its tribe, and possibly
a species of Arachnactis. Eschscholtz and Lesson make a Medusa of it under the name
of Melicertum pusillum.
J. F. Gmelin. The 138th edition of ‘ Systema Nature,’ of Linnzus.
The Medusze are contained in vol. i, part 6 of this compilation. Such naked-eyed species
as are given (viz. Medusa marsupialis, M. hemispherica, M. dimorpha, M. campanula,
M. digitale, M. proboscidalis, M. mollicina (?) and M. pileata), are taken from Plancus,
Miiller, Otho Fabricius, and Forskal.
1788-9. O. F. Miller. ‘ Zoologia Danica,’
1791.
A good figure of Thaumantias hemispherica is contained in this excellent and most useful
work.
Adolph Modeer. “Om Slagtet Siokalf, Medusa,” in the ‘Nya Handlingar,’ of the Royal
Swedish Academy, vol. xii.
A synopsis of the Meduse known up to that time, and a very valuable one for its date.
The naked-eyed species described by Forskal, Otho Fabricius, &c., are enumerated and
characterised with great acuteness.
The collection of figures of Medusx in the six plates (pl. xc-xev) devoted to Acalephe, in the
‘Encyclopédie Méthodique,’ contains several naked-eyed species.
Plate xcii, figs. 9 and 10, are copied from Slabber, and represent a Twrris and an Oceania ;
fig. 11 is Oceania pileata, copied from Forskal; figs. 12-15 are copies of Slabber’s figure
of Obelia spherulina, and figs. 7-8 of his Medusa perla, both, however, evidently, as we
have seen, the figs. of higher Medus. In plate xciii, we have fig. 1 representing Dianea
proboscidalis, copied from Forskal; figs. 2-4 is Thaumantias cymbaloidea, from Slabber ; and
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 93
8-11, Thaumantias hemispherica, from Miller; 5, 6, 7, are copies of the “ Medusa
cruciata,” of Forskal. In plate xciv, figs. 4, 5, are copies of the figures given by Baster,
of the Medusa which has received the name of Callirhoe Basteriana. Plate xev, figs.
l-and 2, are the Aquorea mollicina ; fig. 4, Mesonema celum-pensile ; and fig. 3, Aquorea
Forskalina, all copied from Forskal.
1809. Peron et Lesueur. “ Tableau des Caractéres génériques et spécifiques de toutes les especes de
A
Méduses connues jusqu’a ce jour,” in the ‘Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle,’
vol. xiv.
standard paper. Unfortunately the plates and figures referred to in this valuable memoir
have never been made public, so that it is beyond the power of the British naturalist to
determine the species mentioned as inhabitants of the Channel, for the descriptions are
too often insufficient. The following genera of naked-eyed Medusz, are characterised
for the first time in this paper: Eudora, Berenix, Orythia, Favonia, Lymnorea, Geryonia,
Carybdea, Phorcynia, Eulimenes, Aiquorea, Foveolia, Pegasia (?), Callirhoe, Oceania,
Aglaura, Melicerta (?), Euryale. The names of the species will be found in the table
which I have constructed from Lesson, further on. An issue of the original plates would
be a great boon to science, as few naturalists have had such opportunities of observing the
Medusee in all parts of the world.
1816-18. De Lamarck. ‘ Animaux sans Vertébres.’
The Medusz are described at second-hand. The naked-eyed species are arranged under
1821.
the genera Eudora, Phorcynia, Carybdea, Aiquorea (?), Callirhoe, Orythia, and Dianea.
Peron and Lesueur are evidently the chief source of the descriptions.
A. de Chamisso, and C. G. Eysenhardt. “De Animalibus quibusdum e Classe Vermium
Linneana in circumnavigatione Terre, auspicante Comite N. Romanzoff, duce Othone
de Kotzebue, annis 1815-18 peracta, observatis;” in the ‘ Acta Academie Nature
Curiosorum,’ vol, x.
Several Medusie are represented in the plates to this paper. Of these, one, the Geryonia
tetraphylla, is a naked-eyed form, allied to our G. appendiculata, and resembling it
in having eight tentacles alternately differing in size. Their structure is not given. The
extremity of the peduncle is represented as having a round orifice, which is a mistake, as
in the description, the peduncle is said to be “bipollicaris, cylindricus, flexilis, apice
(ore) truncato dilatato guadrivalvato membranaceo, maculis quatuor viridibus notato.”
It inhabits the Indian Ocean. (Loe. cit., t. xxvii, f. 2.)
The “ Medusa campanulata’ of this paper (pl. xxx, f. 1) seems to me to be a mutilated
Quoy
animal, doubtfully of this division, and the M. mucilaginosa is possibly a mutilated
Polyxenia. Both are from the Pacific Ocean, and the imperfection of the drawings is due
to the specimens, and not to the describers, as they expressly state their doubts respecting
the generic affinities of both forms, and suggest the necessity of fresh observations.
and Gaimard. ‘Zoology of Voyage of the Urania and Physicienne’ (under Freycinet).
Plates Ixxxiv and lxxxv are devoted to the Meduse.
Of naked-eyed species there are figured Aquorea grisea (Admiralty Isles), A4quorea
Risso.
cyanogramma, from the same locality, Myuorea punctata, from between the Philippines
and Sandwich Isles, and quorea semirosea, from New Guinea; all species well marked
by peculiarities of colour. Dianea balearica (a Geryonia ?), from the western Mediterranean,
a two-tentaculated species, remarkable for its thick peduncle (?). Dianea endractensis,
a six-tentaculated species of a reddish tinge, from New Holland. In neither the figures
nor descriptions of these are the ovaries definitely stated. The introductory remarks show
that the authors did not very clearly comprehend what they saw.
‘ Histoire Naturelle de ’ Europe Méridionale.’
The Medusz of the neighbourhood of Nice are enumerated in the fourth volume, including
several known naked-eyed species. The author’s knowledge appears to have been very slight.
94
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
1827. MM. Quoy et Gaimard. ‘ Observations Zoologiques faites 4 bord de l’Astrolabe, en Mai 1826,
cs)
or
6.
“I
dans le détroit de Gibralter,’
In this valuable paper a number of radiate animals, chiefly pelagic, are described, and among
them several naked-eyed Medusee, ‘The species are all figured, though mostly with few
or no anatomical details.
. Dianea rotunda, p. 181, pl. vi, A, figs. 1 and 2.
Judging from the view given of the peduncle, this appears to be a true Oceania, with a globular
umbrella and eight marginal tentacula.
. Dianea conica, p. 182, pl. 6, A, figs. 3 and 4,
The form of the body indicates a Circe, but the appearance of the peduncle is nearer that of
Oceania, and the remark of the describers, that it approaches the Medusa (Oceania) pileata
of Forskal, would confirm such a view. The umbrella is mitrate, and acute above. The margin
appears to have twenty tentacula, with red ocelli. The peduncle is reddish.
. Dianea exigua, p. 183, pl. vi, A, figs. 5 and 6.
A small Geryonia, with very small cordate ovaries, and four marginal tentacula.
. Dianea exigua, Var., p. 183, pl. vi, A, figs. 7 and 8.
Exactly like the last, but wanting the ovaries. Is this a male animal, or is it a Tima? It is
the Liriopa cerasiformis of Lesson (Acal. p. 332), who strangely associates it with Dianea
proboscidalis, in his genus Liriopa.
. Dianea bitentaculata, p. 184, pl. 6, A, fig. 9.
A minute Geryonia or Tima, haying two long tentacles and twelve short ones. This is the
Saphenia bitentaculata of Lesson.
Dianea funeraria, p. 184, pl. vi, A, figs. 10-15.
This appears to belong to a genus closely allied to Circe, and is certainly a member of the family
Circeade. It is the Tholus funerarius of Lesson.
. Aiquorea capillata, p. 185, pl. vi, B, fig. 1.
Too imperfectly described and figured to be assigned to any well-defined genus with certainty.
. Phorcynia pileata, p. 186, pl. vi, C, fig. 1.
A mutilated or badly-observed species, of what genus? It is the type of Lesson’s genus
Pileola.
1828. Dr. Fleming. ‘ History of British Animals.’
Under the genus Geryonia are enumerated “ G. equorea,” “ G. hemispherica” (Thaumantias
to} y q 2 7): 2
and “ G, octona” (Oceania). The last previously described by Dr. Fleming, in the eighth
volume of the ‘ Edinburgh Philosophical Journal.
1829. EF. Eschscholtz. ‘System der Acalephen.’ 4to, Berlin.
A standard work upon this class, founded on extensive personal research. I have already
commented on the errors of the classification. The illustrative figures are in outline,
but strikingly faithful, so far as they go. The naked-eyed species represented are Melicertum
penicillatum ; Hurybia exigua; Tima flavilabris ; Cyteis tetrastyla ; Cunina campanulata
and globosa; Aiquorea ciliata; Polyxenia cyanostylis; Afquorea globosa (a Stomo-
brachium ?); Afgina rosea, and citrea ; Mesonema abbreviata ; Geryonia bicolor and rosacea.
The descriptions are in German, each prefaced by a Latin diagnosis, too slight in most
instances to serve the purpose of identification. No student of the Medusz should be
without this book.
1830. Lesson. ‘ Zoology of the Voyage of the Coquille’ (under Duperrey).
Most of the figures of Medusve in this work represent covered-eyed species. In plate xiv of
the Zoophytes, a few naked-eyed species are represented, but though ‘the plates are
beautifully engraved and coloured, the original drawings must have been sadly defective,
judging from the Cyanea Bougainvillii (Bougainvillea Macloviana), the first that attracts
our notice, every organ of which is misunderstood, and wrongly delineated. Fig. 4 of
the same plate represents a Twrris, under the name of A2guorea mitra ; the peduncle and
ovaries strangely misunderstood. Fig. 1. Bursarius Cythere may be a naked-eyed form,
but after the manner in which the two previously-cited species are represented, I cannot
1830.
1831.
1833.
1833.
1833.
1834.
1834.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 95
venture to offer an opinion with any approach to certainty. The Dianea cerebriformis of
plate x is possibly a Cyanea. The Hudore are evidently mutilated disks.
‘Magazine of Natural History,’ vol. ii.
Dr. Baird, in an interesting paper “On the Luminousness of the Sea,” figures a small
Medusa (Geryonia ?) from the Straits of Banca: the figure and notes are insufficient.
‘Magazine of Natural History,’ vol. iv, p. 285.
In a note on the “ Luminosity of the Sea,” by Mr. Samuel Woodward, a very minute
Medusa of this order is figured from specimens taken between Lowestoft and Yarmouth.
The figure represents either a young Sarsia or the medusoid of Tubularia.
Quoy and Gaimard. ‘Zoology of the Voyage of the Astrolabe.’ (Expedition of Dumont
d@ Urville.)
The Medusz are described in the fourth volume of the text, and figured in plate xxv. They
are Carybdea bicolor, possibly an imperfect animal, but well figured ; Carybdea bitentaculata,
and a covered-eyed species, Orythia incolor. Of the two former, the first was found near
the Cape de Verde, the second, in the roads of Amboyna.
Milne Edwards on “ Carybdea marsupialis.”
A valuable and excellently illustrated paper in the 28th volume of the ‘ Annales des Sciences
Naturelles.’
Dr. Johnston. Description and figure of “ Dianea Bairdii’” (Tima Bairdii, mihi), in the sixth
volume of the ‘ Magazine of Natural History’ (Loudon’s).
De Blainville. ‘Manuel d’Actinologie.’
The account of the pulmograda in this useful manual is a very full and excellent compilation
of the knowledge up to the time, and among the plates are many useful figures copied
from other works. De Blainville combines the genera Aguorea, Mesonema, Polywxenia,
Aigina, and Cunina in one genus, Mquorea. He refers Melicerta penicellata of
Eschscholtz to the genus Aglawra of Peron. Under Geryonia he unites Saphenia,
Geryonia, and Dianea proper ; regarding Dianea endractensis as the type of that genus.
J.T. Brandt. “ Prodromus Descriptionis Animalium ab H. Mertensio observatum,” in the
‘Recueil des Actes de la Séance publique de Académie Impériale des Sciences de
St. Pétersbourg,’ 1833-4.
In this valuable paper Brandt gives a synopsis of the radiate animals observed by Mertens
during his voyage. The following naked-eyed Medusz are enumerated : 3
Circe, Mertens (the genus characterised).
il C. camtschatica, Brandt. Kamtschatka.
Conts, Brandt (the genus characterised).
2. C. mitrata. Pacific “ ab insulis Boninimensibus.”
3. AiquorEA rhodolema, Brandt. Conception, in Chili.
Sromopracuiora, Brandt (the genus characterised).
4 S. lenticularis, Brandt. Atlantic, “ ab insulis Malvinensibus.
5. Mrsonema macrodactyla, Brandt. Southern Ocean.
6. Musonema cerulescens, in 50° lat., and 144° long. W.
/icinopsis, Brandt, (the genus characterised).
Vs 44, horensis, Brandt. In Behring’s Straits.
8. Poryxenta flavobrachia, Brandt. 5° lat., 127° long. W.
9. Geryonta hevaphylla, Peron. Pacifie Ocean, in 36° 30’ lat. and 211 long., ab ins.
Boninsimensibus.
10. Prososcrpactyta flavicirrhata, Brandt. Camtschatica.
11. Hrerocrene Bougainvillii, Brandt. Behring’s Straits.
12. Sravrornora Mertensii, Brandt. North Pacific.
96 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
1835. H. Rathke, (Professor, of Dorpat). “ Beschreibung der Oceania Blumenbachii, einer bei Sevastopol
gefundenen leuchtenden Meduse,” in the ‘ Mémoires présentés 4 Académie Impériale
des Sciences de St. Pétersbcurg,’ vol. ii, with an excellent plate.
The animal figured and described in this paper is a very remarkable one, and evidently
sui generis. It is not a true Oceania, nor a member of the family Oceanide, but of
that section of the Sarsiade which will probably eventually assume the position of an
independent group including Bougainvillea and Lizzia. The umbrella is hemispherical,
bordered by eight compound tentacular bulbs, of a bright yellow colour, from each of
which rise three filiform, highly extensile, white tentacula. The peduncle is four-lobed,
broad, striped with white and yellow, and opens by a mouth surrounded by four lips, with
tentacular and gland-tipped prolongations arranged in a pinnate fashion.
1835. M. Sars. ‘ Beskrivelser og Jagttagelser over nogle mcerkelige eller nyei havet ved den Bergenske
kyst lebende dyr af Polypernes, Acalephernes,’ &c. 8vo, Bergen.
This very interesting work is im the Norwegian language. In it Phorcynia cruciata and
Thaumantias hemispherica are mentioned as Norwegian species, and the following new
species described and figured :
1. Oceania ampullacea, p. 22, t. iv, fig. 8.
2. Oceania octocostata, p. 24, t. iv, fig. 9. This is our Stomobrachium octo-
costatum.
3. Oceania saltatoria, p. 25, t. iv, fig. 10. This appears to be a Circe by its form.
No ovaries are shown in the figure. It has sixteen tentacula. It is the Pandea
saltatoria of Lesson.
Oceania (?) tubulosa, p. 28, t. iv, fig. 11.—Sarsia tubulosa.
Thaumantias multicirrata, p. 25, t. viii, fig. 12.
Thaumantias (?) plana, p. 26, t. v, fig. 11.
Cyteis octopunctata, p. 28, t. vi, fig. 14.—Lizzia octopunctata.
fo Shea
1836. In the ninth volume of the ‘ Magazine of Natural History’ (Loudon’s) is a “ Catalogue of the
Species of Rayed Animals found in Ireland, as selected from the papers of the late
J. Templeton, Esq., of Cranmore, with notices of Localities, and with some Descriptions
and Illustrations by Robert Templeton, Esq.”
This list is of considerable value, and shows that the distinguished naturalist, from whose
papers it was compiled, had taken great interest in the Acalephe. Of the species he
enumerates, the followmg appear to belong to the Pulmograda Gymnopthalmata.
“ Piliscelotus. Body hyaline, hemispherical, the apex somewhat produced, and terminating
in a fleshy, elongated, spindle-shaped appendix. Margin of the body with four moderately
long tentacula, each tentaculum arising from a small tubercle. P. vitreus (p. 302, f. 48).
Hyaline, bell-shaped, with four brown tentacula arising from the margin, nearly equidistant ;
the centre produced into a long, dark brown appendage, somewhat thickened in the
middle. Found in the pools on the limestone rocks, at the Whitehead, June 25th, 1812.
Moving with a pretty quick but steady motion, by expanding and collapsing the body,
which was so extremely transparent, that scarcely any part was visible but the dark brown
appendage and the marginal tentacula. The marginal tentacula were dilated at their
base.” Anomalous as this creature is represented, I hardly doubt that it is other than
Sarsia tubulosa accidentally turned inside out, as I have elsewhere observed. A curious
Medusa, having a simple umbrella without tentacula at the margin, is figured at Cut 47.
Tt is described as “ Ocyrhow (?), Peron (Cassiopeia (?), Lam.) cruciata. Hyaline, four arms,
pale purple, corrugated ; eight darker, fine rays, and numerous dusky obsolete ones.” The
figure seems to represent a naked-eyed species, but it may be some mutilated Pulmograde
of higher rank. It would be unsafe, without new observations, to admit this form into
systematic lists. All the other forms mentioned by Templeton (except “ Medusa
scintillans of Macartney,” which probably refers to Thawmantias hemispherica) are
members of higher groups, and some of them, such as his “ Mquorea (?) radiata,”
monstrous and mutilated Awrelie.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 97
1837. Cuvier’s ‘Régne Animal,’ Commemorative Edition, illustrated by his pupils.
Among the plates of this beautiful work are thirteen representing Meduse. Light of
these are devoted to undoubted steganopthalmatous species. | The following naked-eyed
forms, or else doubtful, are copied from the unpublished plates of Peron :
Phorcynia istiophora ; Eulimenes cyclophylla ; Equorea purpurea ; Lymnorea triedra (covered-
eyed?) ; Favonia hexamena ; Geryonia hexaphylla (Dianea proboscidalis?) ; Berenix cariso-
chroma, B. euchroma (this genus seems to have affinities with Willsia, but the structure of the
peduncle and ovaries is not indicated in the drawing); Geryonia dinema (possibly
belonging to a genus of the Sarsiade, as well as Orythia viridis) ; Orythia minima (this
appears to be an immature Cyanea) ; Eudora undulosa (steganopthalmatous ?) ; Carybdea
periphylla (surely not of this genus, and possibly steganopthalmatous).
Figures are also given of Geryonia bicolor, copied from Eschscholtz; G. Dubautii (balearica)
[possibly an Orythia], after Quoy and Gaimard; G. tetraphylla, after Chamisso and
Eysenhardt ; Carybdea marsupialis, and Afquorea violacea, after Milne Edwards.
1837. Lesson. ‘Prodrome d’une Monographie des Méduses.’
I have never seen this work. Was it ever printed?
1837. Ehrenberg, in the ‘Transactions of the Berlin Academy,’ for the year 1835, vol. vi, gives
two good figures of naked-eyed Medusie, the one “ Oceania pileata,’ and the other
“ Melicertum campanulatum” (really Stomobrachium octocostatum), both from Norway,
and already noticed in the account of our native species of the genera to which they
belong.
In the same paper there is a catalogue of the Meduse of the Red Sea, but all the species
enumerated are steganopthalmatous.
1838. J. F. Brandt. “ Ausfiihrliche Beschreibung der von C. H. Mertens auf seer Weltumsegelung
beobachteten Schirmquallen, nebst allgemeinen Bemerkungen iiber die Schirmquallen
tiberhaupt,” with 34 coloured plates, in the ‘Memoirs of the Imperial Academy of St.
Petersburg,’ 6th series, ‘Sciences Naturelles,’ 2d vol.
One of the most valuable and beautifully illustrated memoirs upon the Meduse extant.
The naked-eyed species figured in it are Circe Camtscatica, Conis mitrata (a Turris?),
Aquorea rhodolema, Stomobrachium lenticulare, Mesonema macrodactyla, cerulescens and
dubium, Hginopsis Laurentii, (if the Polyenia Alderi of this work prove not to belong to that
genus to which I have referred it, Mginopsis may prove its proper place,) Geryonia
hexaphylla, Proboscidactyla flavicirrhata (a genus of Willsiade), Hippocrene Bougainvillii,
and (?) Staurophora Mertensii. The figures are from the drawings of Mertens, and bear
every mark of being faithful representations. The remaining species are Steganopthalmata,
and are by far the best figures hitherto published of Medusze of that order.
1840. The second edition of Lamarck’s ‘Animaux sans Vertébres,’ edited by Deshayes and Milne
Edwards.
The Medusz are contained in the third volume of this edition, and have been revised by
M. F. Dujardin. The additional notes are very good, and serve to make the work a
useful manual, as they embody the labours of recent writers, especially Eschscholtz and
Brandt.
1841. Milne Edwards described and figured with admirable accuracy the A/quorea violacea, in the 16th
volume of the second series of the ‘ Annales des Sciences Naturelles.’
1841. Augustus A. Gould, M.D. ‘Report on the Invertebrata of Massachusetts,’ Cambridge,
U. 8., 8vo.
Three species of naked-eyed Medusze are enumerated as inhabiting the shores of the
United States, viz., “ Oceania tubulosa’” (i.e. Sarsia tubulosa), “ Hippocrene Bougainvillir”
(more probably Bougainvillea britannica), and “Stomobrachium lenticulare :” the two latter
identified with Brandt’s species of those names.
13
98
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
1841. Dr. Davis on “ Cyanea coccinea,” (Turris neglecta,) in the Seventh Volume of the ‘ Annals of
Natural History.’
1841. E. Forbes, on anew Hippocrene, and some new species of Thaumantias in the ‘ Annals of Natural
History.’
1843. Lesson.
the ‘ Nouvelles Suites 4 Buffon.’
This work is one of the most useful, and yet one of the most provoking, in its department
of natural history ; useful, because it brings together, verbatim, everything that has been
written upon the Medusze in France; provoking, because every attempt in it at an
arrangement or digest of the matter so collected serves only to make the obscure more
obscure, and the crude more crude.
considerable industry.
account.
‘Histoire Naturelle des Zoophytes ; Acalephes,’ a thick 8vyo volume, forming part of
It is executed without any judgment, though with
Of what has been done outside of France it is a most imperfect
Nevertheless, for the present, it is indispensable to the student of the Meduse,
and includes the fullest list published of species and references.
some interesting species are figured are appended.
A few plates im which
I have compiled the following
Catalogue of Medusve, either naked-eyed, or possibly so, enumerated by Lesson, with the
‘localities given in his work, and the name of the original observer.
NAKED-EYED MEDUSZ ENUMERATED BY LESSON.
* Figured in works referred to by Lesson.
+ Figured in this Monograph.
Name in Lesson’s Work.
Locality.
Observer and Remarks.
* ? Bulimenes spheeroidalis, Peron.
* ? Eulimenes cyclophylla, Peron.
? Eulimenes heliometra, Lesson.
Phoreynia cudonoidea, Peron.
* Phorcynia petasella, Peron.
* Phorcynia istiophora, Peron.
Phoreynia cruciata, Lin.
* Pileola pileata, Q. and G.
* Marsupialis Planci, Less.
(Carybdea marsupialis, Lam.)
*
Marsupialis alata, Reyn.
Marsupialis flagellata, Lesson.
Bursarius cytherene, Lesson.
Mitra Rangii, Lesson.
* urybia exigua, L’schsch.
* Cyteeis tetrastyla, Lsch.
* ? Campanella chamissonis, Lesson.
(Medusa campanulata, &. and C.)
Campanella Fabricii.
(Medusa campanula, O. ¥.)
Scyphis mucilaginosa, Chamissoand Lysenh.
South Atlantic.
South Atlantic.
Peru.
Australia.
Tles Furneaux.
8. Australia.
Norway.
Gibraltar.
Mediterranean.
Atlantic.
New Guinea.
New Guinea.
(W ?) African Seas.
South Sea, between the tropics.
Atlantic, under the Equator.
Pacific.
Greenland and Baffin’s Bay.
Pacific.
Peron.
Peron and Lesueur.
Lesson.
Peron and Lesueur.
Peron and Lesueur (figure unpublished).
Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
Linnzeus (figure much wanted).
Quoy and Gaimard (Genus ”).
Plancus (well figured by Milne Edwards).
Reynaud (figured in Lesson’s ‘Centurie Zoo-
logique.’)
Lesson (figure wanted).
Lesson (very doubtful).
Rang.
Eschscholtz.
Eschscholtz.
Eysenhardt and Chamisso, insufficiently known.
O. Fabricius (no figure).
Chamisso (too imperfect).
*
*a+
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
“ * * ¥- % & *
* & &
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
99
Name in Lesson’s Work.
Locality.
Observer and Remarks.
Turris papua, Lesson.
Turris borealis, Less.
(T. digitale.)
* Turris neglecta, Less.
Circe camtschatica, Brandt.
Circe anais, Less.
Circe elongata, Less.
Tiara papalis, Lesson.
(Medusa pileata, Forskal.)
Tiara Sarsii, Lesson.
(O. ampullacea, Sars.)
Tholus funerarius, Q. and G.
Pandea conica, Q. and G.
Pandea rotunda, Q. and G.
Pandea saltatoria, Sars.
Bougainvillea macloviana, Lesson.
* Bougainvillea britannica, Forbes.
* Bougainvillea octopunctata, Sars.
Proboscidactyla flavocirrata, Brandt.
Melicertum penicillatum, Lsch.
Aglaura hemistoma, Peron.
Laodicea crucifera, Lesson.
(Medusa cruciata, Forsk.)
Microstoma ambiguus, Lesson.
Berenix euchroma, Peron.
Berenix thalassina, Peron.
Berenix Cuvieri, Peron.
? Staurophora Mertens, Brandt.
Pegasia dodecagona, Peron.
Pegasia cylindrella.
Foveolia mollicina, Forsk.
Foveolia pilearis, Gmelin.
Foveolia bunogaster, Peron.
Foveolia diadema, Peron.
Foveolia lineolata, Peron.
Foveolia pulvinata, Lesson.
Cunina campanulata, Esch.
Cunina globosa, Esch.
gina citrea, Lsch.
Aigina rosea, Esch.
Aigina grisea, Q. and G.
Mgina semi-rosea, Q. and G.
ABgina capillata, Q. and G.
Aigina nivea, Lesson.
Agina corona, Lesson.
Agina carolinarum, Lesson.
Aginopsis Laurentii, Brandt.
Aquorea Forskalea, Peron.
Aquorea ciliata, Lsch.
ABquorea yiolacea, Milne Edw.
Coast of the I. of Waigeou.
Arctic and Boreal Seas.
Celtic Seas.
Kamtschatka.
(W ?) Africa.
(W?) Africa.
Mediterranean.
Norway.
Gibraltar.
Gibraltar.
Gibraltar.
Norway.
North Pacific and Behring’s Straits.
North Atlantic.
Norway.
Kamtschatka.
California.
Mediterranean.
Mediterranean.
Island of Waigeon.
Equatorial Atlantic.
Arnheim’s Land.
Australia ?
Pacific.
S. Atlantic.
Arnheim’s Land.
Mediterranean.
Atlantic Ocean.
Mediterranean.
South Atlantic.
Mediterranean.
Indian Seas (’).
Azores.
South Seas.
North Pacific.
North Pacific.
Admiralty Isles.
New Guinea.
Gibraltar.
Indian Seas (?).
Indian Seas (?).
Pacific.
Behring’s Straits.
Mediterranean and Atlantic.
N. W. America.
Mediterranean.
Lesson.
O. Fabricius (Turris).
Davis (Turris).
Mertens (Circe).
Rang (Circe).
Rang ( Circe).
Forskal (Oceania).
Sars (Oceania).
Quoy and Gaimard (Tholus).
Quoy and Gaimard.
Quoy and Gaimard.
Sars (Circe ?).
Mertens (Bougainvillea).
Forbes (Bougainvillea).
Sars (Lizzia).
Mertens.
Eschscholtz.
Peron, Risso (figure unpublished).
Forskal.
Lesson.
Peron and Lesueur.
Peron and Lesueur.
Peron and Lesueur.
Mertens.
Peron and Lesueur.
Peron and Lesueur (figure unpublished).
Forskal.
Peron.
Peron.
Peron.
Lesson (?).
Eschscholtz.
Eschscholtz.
Eschscholtz.
Eschseholtz.
Quoy and Gaimard.
Quoy and Gaimard.
Quoy and Gaimard.
Raynaud.
Raynaud.
Lesson.
Mertens.
Forskal.
Eschscholtz.
Milne Edwards.
100 BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Name in Lesson’s Work. Locality. Observer and Remarks.
* Aiquorea globosa, Lsech. South Seas, between tropics. Eschscholtz.
* Bquorea eurodina, Peron. Bass’s Straits. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
* BHquorea cyanea, Peron, Arnheim’s Land. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
* Bquorea thalassina, Peron. Arnheim’s Land. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
* Equorea stauroglypha, Peron. French Coasts of British Channel. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
* #quorea allantophora, Peron. French Coasts of British Channel. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
* Aiquorea Risso, Peron. Mediterranean. Peron and Lesueur, Risso (fig. by Risso).
* /Equorea amphicurta, Peron. | De Witt’s Land. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
fiquorea bunogaster, Peron. Van Arnheim’s Land. Peron.
* B®quorea spheeroidalis, Peron. Endracht’s Land. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
* iquorea phosphoriphora, Peron. Arnheim’s Land. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
* Aquorea rhodolema, Brandt. | Conception, in Chili. Mertens.
+ * Mquorea octocostata, Sars. Norway (British Seas). Sars.
? Aquorea atlantica, Peron. North Atlantic. Locefling.
(Medusa equorea, Locfling.)
? Aquorea danica, Peron. Scandinavia. O. F. Miiller.
(Medusa equorea, Miller, Gm.)
? Alquorea groenlandica. Greenland. O. Fabricius.
(Medusa equorea, O. Fabricius.)
* Polyxenia cyanostylis, Lschs. N. Atlantic. Eschscholtz.
* Polyxenia purpurea, Peron. Endracht’s Land. Peron and Lesueur.
Polyxenia pleuronota, Peron. Arnheim’s Land. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
* Polyxenia undulosa, Peron. Arnheim’s Land. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpub.)
Polyxenia flayobrachia, Brandt. South Sea. Mertens.
* Stomobrachiota lenticularis, Brand¢. Falkland Isles. Mertens.
* Mesonema ccelumpensile, Modeer. Mediterranean and Atlantic. Forskal.
* Mesonema abbreviata, Esch. Straits of Sunda. Eschscholtz.
* Mesonema pileus, Lesson. African Seas ? Lesson.
* Mesonema macrodactyla, Brandt. South Sea. Mertens.
* Mesonema ccerulescens, Brandt. 35° N. lat., 144° lon., W. Mertens.
* Mesonema dubium, Brandt. Chili. Mertens.
Oceania phosphorica, Peton. French coasts of the Channel. Peron,
Oceania lineolata, Peron. Mediterranean. Peron, Risso.
Oceania flavidula, Peron. Mediterranean. Peron, Risso.
Oceania Lesueur, Peron. Mediterranean. Peron, Risso.
* Oceania dinema, Peron. French Coasts of the Channel. Peron and Lesueur (fig. unpublished).
? Oceania bimorpha, Miller. Baftin’s Bay and Norwegian Seas. O. Fabricius.
* ? Oceania tetranema, Peron. Holland (Slabber). Slabber.
* ? Oceania sanguinolenta, Peron. Holland (Slabber). Slabber (Turris coccinea).
* ? Oceania danica, Peron. Norway. Thaumantias hemispherica, of Miiller.
? Oceania paradoxa, Peron. Mediterranean. Peron.
* ? Oceania microscopica, Peron. Holland (Slabber). Slabber.
? Oceania heteronema, Peron. Havre. Peron.
* ? Melicerta perla, Slabber. Holland. Slabber, perhaps a young Pelagia.
Melicerta pleurotoma, Peron. De Witt’s Land. Peron. .
Melicerta fasciculata, Peron. Mediterranean. Peron.
* Melicerta morchella, Lesson. ? Lesson,
+ * Saphenia dinema, Peron. French and British Coasts. Peron and Lesueur.
Saphenia bitentaculata, Q. and G. Gibraltar. Quoy and Gaimard (Geryonia or Tima).
* Saphenia balearica, Q. and G. Mediterranean. Quoy and Gaimard.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Name in Lesson’s Work.
Locality.
* Dianea endractensis, Q. and G.
Dianea viridula, Peron.
Dianea gibbosa, Peron.
* Orythia viridis, Peron.
* Orythia minima, Cuv.
Geryonia tetraphylla, Lys. and Cham.
*
* Geryonia bicolor, Esch.
* Geryonia rosacea, Lsch.
* Geryonia exigua, Q. and G.
* Liriopa proboscidalis, Forshal.
* Liriopa cerasiformis, Less.
* Xanthia agaricina, Lesson.
+ * Sarsia tubulosa, Sars.
* Tima flavilabris, Lsch.
* Thaumantias cymbaloidea, Slabber.
+ * Thaumantias hemispherica, Gron.
* Thaumantias lucida, Mac.
* Thaumantias plana, Sars.
* TThaumantias multicirrata, Sars.
+* Thaumantias pileata, Fordes.
+ * Thaumantias Thompsoni, Forbes.
+* Thaumantias punctata, Forbes.
+ * Thaumantias sarnica, Forbes.
? * Linuche unguiculata, Swartz.
Usous roseus, Lesson.
Lymnorea triedra, Peron.
Favonia octonema, Peron.
Fayonia hexanema, Peron.
ty)
S. W. Coast of Australia.
French Coasts of Channel.
Mediterranean.
Endracht’s Land.
Belgium.
Indian Ocean.
Brazil, of Cape Frio.
S. Sea, between the Tropics.
Gibraltar.
Mediterranean.
Gibraltar.
2
Norway (Britain, N. America).
Azores.
Holland.
Norway (British Seas).
Britain.
Norway.
Norway.
Britain.
Britain.
Britain.
Britain,
Jamaica.
Bass’s Straits.
Australia.
Equatorial Atlantic.
101
Observer and Remarks.
Quoy and Gaimard.
Peron.
Peron, Risso.
Peron and Lesueur.
Baster.
Eysenhardt and Chamisso.
Eschscholtz.
Eschscholtz.
Quoy and Gaimard (Geryonia),
Forskal (Dianea).
Quoy and Gaimard (a Tima ?).
Lesson.
Sars.
Eschscholtz.
Slabber (only 7’. hemispherica).
Miller, Gronovius, &e.
Macartney, (var. of last).
Sars.
Sars.
E. Forbes.
E. Forbes.
E. Forbes.
E. Forbes.
Swartz (perhaps the fig. of a higher Medusa).
Lesson.
Peron and Lesueur.
Peron and Lesueur.
Peron and Lesueur.
1844, Dr. J. G. F. Will, of Erlangen. ‘ Hore Tergestine,’ 4to, Leipsig.
Some of the best researches on the Acalephe, as yet given to the public, minute, accurate,
and philosophical. The naked-eyed species described and figured are Polywenia leucostyla ;
Cyteis polystyla ; Cyteis (2) ; Geryonia planata ; Geryonia pellucida, (a Geryonopsis,) and
Thaumantias leucostyla ; all observed in the Adriatic.
1846. H. Sars. ‘ Fauna littoralis Norwegi.’ Ist pt. in folio, with 10 plates.
The first memoir in this valuable and beautifully illustrated work is devoted to the Medusa-
producing polypes (Syncoryna, Podocoryna, Perigonomus,) and to the history of the gemma-
tion of Cyteis octopunctata, the Lizzia octopunctata of this Monograph.
1846. E. Forbes. ‘“ On the Pulmograde Meduse of the British Seas.”
Communicated to the British Association at Southampton, and including the outline of the
present treatise. It was printed in the Proceedings of the Association, and ‘ Annals of
Natural History ;? also translated in the ‘ Annales des Sciences Naturelles.’
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INDEX OF GENERA AND SPECIES
*,.* The names of spurious species and synonyms are in Roman letters.
A®quorea octocostata
Aurelia aurita
campanula
cruciata
granulata
lineolata
purpurata .
radiolata
rosea
surirea
Biblis aquitanize
Bougainvillea Britannica
nigritella
octopunctata
Cassiopea lunulata
Borlasea
rhizostomoidea
anglica
Campanella dinema
Chrysaora hysoscella .
Circe rosea
Cyanea capillata
Lamarckit
coccinea
Cytzis octopunctata
Diana Bairdii
dinema
digitale
irene digitale
DESCRIBED IN THIS MONOGRAPH,
WITH THEIR SYNONYMS.
PAGE
30
75
76
76
76
75
75
Euphysa aurata
Geryonia appendiculata
dinema
hemispheerica
octona .
Geryonopsis delicatula
Hippocrene Britannica
octopunctata
Lizzia blondina
octopunctata
Medusa aurita .
campanula
capillata
cruciata
cymbaloidea
digitale
duodecilia
fusca
hemispheerica
hysoscella .
lucida
lunulata
ocilia
purpurata .
tuberculata
Melicerta digitale .
Melicertum campanulatum .
Modeeria formosa
Oceania episcopalis
PAGE
104
Oceania globulosa
hemispheerica
octocostata
octona .
sanguinolenta
tetranema
tubulosa
turrita .
Pelagia cyanella
Polyxenia Alderi
Rhizostoma pulmo .
Aldrovandi
Cuvieri
Saphenia dinema
Sarsia gemmifera
pulchella
prolifera
tubulosa
Slabberia halterata
Steenstrupia flaveola
rubra
Stomobrachium octocostatum
Thaumantias @ronautica .
INDEX.
29 Thaumantias convexa .
49 cymbaloidea
30 globosa
27 gibbosa
23 hemispherica
23 inconspicua
55 lineata .
28 lucida
76 lucifera
32 maculata
Uh melanops
77 Milleri
77 Octona
25 pileata
57 pilosella
57 punctata
59 quadrata
55 sarnica
53 Thompsoni
74 Tima Bairdi
73 Turris digitalis .
30 neglecta
44 Willsia stellata .
THE END,
C, AND J. ADLARD, PRINTERS, BARTHOLOMEW CLOSE.
PAGE
47
49
46
47
49
52
48
49
52
45
45
30
44.
47
42
53
43
48
49
37
21
23
19
PEATE |
STELLATA
LLSTA
WI
oy
Reeve & C° amp
E Forbes, ad nat, del”
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PISA TiEsalie
DINEMA.
SAPHENIA
4
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INA .
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\
Reeve & C° u0p
E Forbes, ad nat del*
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NECGLECTA
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OCEANIA
Reeve , amp
Reeve, Beriham &
E Forbes, del
WH. Baily dich
PLATE, IV.
STOMOBRACHIUM OCTOCOSTATUM 2 POLYXENIA CYANOSTYLA
W YH. Baily Tith. EB Vorber & J-Alder , del? Reeve, Benham & Rueys, imp
PLATE
TIMA BAIRDII 2. GERYONIA APPENDICULATA
7: =} NS
“Ng
as)
RS Ci
a
Watete ici
RIGATeES Vile
| MODEERIA FORMOSA. 2. SARSIA GEMMIFERA. 3. SARSIA PROLIFERA .
WHBaily Jith. E.Fatbes, del ad nat. Eeere, Buriham & Reevy imp.
PIATIES Viti
|. THAUMANTIAS PILOSELLA. 2.77 HEMISPHARICA 3.7. INCONSPICUA. 4.7.0CTONA
W.E.Baily, bth , EB. Forbes, del ad nat Reeve, Benham & Reeve amp
PLATE, IX
aE Oa
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re
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| THAUMANTIAS -CYMBALOIDEA 2. T. QUADRATA 3. T. AERONAUTICA.
4 T. MACULATA.
C.B Bone hth TK, Forbes, ad nat del® Reeve Benham £*Reev
| THAUMANTIAS PUNCTATA. 2. T. LUCIDA. 3, T. MELANOPS. 4 T GLOBOSA.
Wi HL Baily, ith. E- Forbes, del. ad. nat . a Beew Benham & Keove, imp
PLATE XI
|. THAUMANTIAS LINEATA - Pe a EE AGHA: 3. TT. GUBBOSA .” 425i] “SIARINIGA
D. i. THOMPSON - 6. T. CONVEXA
“
C.R Bone, tith . E Forbes, del ad nat. Reeve, Benhum & Reeve, imp
| BOUGAINVILLEA BRITANNICA
3. LIZZ\A OCTOPUNCTATA
Spe SIN Sua la Wee.
€ R-Bone ith
ROBE RV AT
PLATE Xitl.
TEENSTRUPIA FLAVEOEA.
(op)
OR eee
SAO amt y ewan AURATA .
E Forbes, ab nat del? Reeve Benluon & Reeve imp
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