Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1848 Excerpt:...obtained the M. hemisphcerica at Lame, in the summer of 1835." Plate VIII, f. 2, a, represents this species seen in profile, magnified; 2, b, seen from above, a very large specimen (too many tentacles and tubercles are introduced in the figure, by mistake); 2, c, is one of the reproductive glands; 2, d, those of the tentacles and their bulbs. 5. 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 lanceolate 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 b, represent it magnified as seen from the side, and from above; 3, c, is an ovary; 3, d, a portion of the margin, showing the tentacular bulbs, and the intermediate tubercles. 16. Thaumantias lucifera, Forbes. Plate X, Fig. 2 (under the name of T. 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 h...