TENTACLE OF THE PHYSALIA. salia back again, and the fishes return at once, though they had disappeared from sight. A large glass jar, made for such purposes, we have dipped under them, and thus brought the objects in close view for observation. Having casually viewed this potent little war vessel, its works and armament, and seen its capacity for mischief, let us examine more closely, and inspect its batteries. We have seen that this is a jelly-fish, having the additional appendage of a showy float, which keeps it wholly on the surface. This creature is properly a compound animal, the slimy mass that depends from the under surface being made up of organs that serve various purposes in its economy. It will serve our purpose better, however, to omit the more complex parts, or those not of interest to the general reader. It seems, too, that the free use of common names is likely to be of service in rendering natural objects more familiar and attractive. In speaking of the caryophillia we call it the cuplet, after the excellent plan of Mr. Gosse, as it is known in some localities as the cup coral. The only species of manicina on the reef is so much like a kidney in shape and size, we have adopted the trivial term kidney coral. The Meandrina cerebriformis is easily recognized as brain coral. The labyrinth and leaf corals would also seem well named. Probably no one branch of marine zoology is so difficult to comprehend by the casual or occasional observer as that which includes the corals. Even at this day some books persist in calling the polyps insects; and some scientific authors carelessly speak of the polyps "coming out" and "going in" to their "holes," as if they were not in the same relation to the white coral branch, so familiar to most, as the bony part of our bodies are to our flesh. But to resume. We are desirous of seeing the wonderful armament of the physalia. Mr. Gosse, the English naturalist, intimates that the same organs, or similar, that in the seaanemone furnish such virulent weapons, are seen in the physalia. He was the first to show the uses and unfold the anatomy of them. The physalia, when VOL. XLIII-No. 253.-3 near a fish, or any living object, throws down one or more of its long tentacles, sometimes several yards in extent. It should be remembered here that this creature is far below even the shell-fish, and, of course, has no eyes. The least touch serves to paralyze the prey; then a loop is formed in the tentacle, which, with others, draws the victim up to the numerous mouths, or suckers, that depend from its base. When the tentacle comes in contact with the prey it contracts and throws out from numerous pores on its surface fine thread-like coils. These are white, and just perceptible to the naked eye. As they strike the prey numerous missiles, like so many loaded shells, are projected into the flesh; these missiles then explode, and discharge barbed wire-like arrows, which are charged with the poisonous fluid that proves so irritating, and even deadly to the smaller animals. This structure, for offensive warfare, is much more complicated than those of the defensive character. The missiles thrown out from the ejected threads are oblong bodies, not unlike cylindrical projectiles (to continue our comparison with modern ordnance), and contain not a modern style of charge, but an ancient one, in the form of barbed javelins. Instead of bursting, like the shell, its coiled weapon is projected out from the opening at one end, the missile being thereby unfolded, or "turned wrong side out." How much like a battery, and the movements in firing it! The long threads are like so many guns run "in battery," thrust out from the portholes, and, like the mitrailleuse, discharging from numerous bores the loaded shells. Within the case which holds the barbed weapon is the poisonous fluid, which is either thrown out through the barbs, as in the serpent's fang, or lies in contact with them, and is conveyed into the wounds on their surface. These organs are so very minute that they were not until lately observed, or, rather, their uses were not until lately rightly interpreted. It was supposed that they were reproductive organs. The poisonous effect was supposed to be due to the slimy secretion of the tentacles. In view of this power, it is a matter of great wonder that the little blue fishes escape the fatal touch; but nature seems to have intended them as companions. The blue fishes are to the physalia, as the naturalist would say, parasitic. They are never seen elsewhere, but always under the tentacles of the physalia. It is an interesting fact, too, that the sea-anemone which makes its home on the back of the crab is never found alone. The lip of a perch that had imprudently put his nose within reach of a tentacle was examined under the microscope, and seen to be completely studded with the darts, whose poisonous points had carried death with them. The younger Charley of our boat-party once inadvertently swam over one. The ugly tentacles clung to his chest and abdomen, affecting him most gravely. It is impossible to convey in words the appearance of his face, its horrorstricken expression. He was rendered helpless in a moment; but several soldiers were at hand, who conveyed him to the shore and disentangled the fearful mass of tentacles. Large welts remained upon the skin, of a dark color, and millions of the minute barbs were plunged under the flesh. The most serious symptom was the difficult breathing-dyspnoea. Great nervous irritation, and occasional sinking or prostration of the powers of life occurred, requiring free use of powerful stimulants. The vast extent of the poisonous influence here was probably the cause of such serious symptoms. A little more would cause death. A thorough bathing with soap-suds proved the best remedy, though the suffering lasted several hours. There are two other forms allied to this jellyfish that are seldom seen in perfection except at sea, away from the shore. Voyagers in the Gulf region see them from the deck, and are told that they are the young, or a portion of the physalia, simply because they look like the larger in color, and because they have no common name. Porpita and vellela are pretty names enough, without more common ones-the latter meaning little boat. They have the same dark blue membranous covering, though strikingly different in form. If you ask the ship captain, he tells you it is a man-o'-war with its upper gear carried away. These two forms are so pretty and interesting, and so surely met with on a voyage through the Gulf Stream, that I venture to surmise our readers will be glad to know something more of them. As the ship glides into the Gulf Stream the alert virtuoso has ample material for his amusement. At times when the physaliæ are abundant on the sea there will be seen equally numerous the two other members of this family or order -siphonophora, of the class of acalephs. An English writer asserts that the vellela is normally a parasite of physalia; but such is not the case. Vellelæ are seen often in great numbers when no physaliæ are in sight. The writer in question judges from the fact of the two being found stranded on the shores of England, where they are strangers. I sailed through an immense fleet of vellelæ between Key Largo and Cape Florida, and not one physalia was in sight. The vellela is composed of an oval plate, of the appearance of isinglass, very thin. An equally thin plate of the same material, which is twisted in the graceful form of the "line of beauty," stands vertically along the upper surface. This structure is covered with the blue membrane, and has depending from its float, which rests lightly on the water, a row of short tentacles arranged along its edge. In the centre is the fleshy stomach and its mouths. The whole object looks like a little flat-boat with one fore-and-aft sail close hauled on the wind. The porpita is a perfectly circular form, of the same isinglass-like character, about an inch and a half in diameter, thin, and having no upright sail. Its under parts are similar to the vellela, and the color the same indigo-blue. This form is like a little monitor, with works all below, and no "top-hamper." The beaches are often strewed with the skeleton frames of these creatures after a storm. During one of the bright, clear days, when the sea is like glass, not a ripple upon its surface, the aspect of the Gulf Stream is charming beyond description. The three objects just noticed are seen on all sides, their glowing colors and bright, lustrous reflections a source of constant admiration. The dolphin, with his gorgeous, iridescent flanks, is quite constantly in sight, just under the surface, darting back and forth, vaulting, and frequently turning on his side, like some gaudily dressed pantomimist. We have, in imagination, drifted around a lagoon of the reef, looking down among the deep-sea corals, and scanning the surface for the curious there. Meantime, lest we tire in looking upon this the lowest form of animal life, we will sail back to that locality on the reef where a higher animal finds shelter, though low he may be of his class—the military prison. Many were the strange characters confined here during the war; and many were the devices for earning a little money for the purchase of tobacco, that indispensable morceau of the soldier and sailor. Among the rather questionable methods was one instituted by a young man of good education, and skilled in the use of water-colors. He furnished "to order" or otherwise pressed mosses in wreaths or on cartes de visite." Great quantities of the real moss, or alga, were pressed and sold there, but the prisoners could not always procure it. Our young man was impressed with the belief that a wreath could be painted in water-colors, adding, perhaps, here and there, sparingly, a twig of the real article, whereby much extraordinary care and vexation would be saved, and a steady business insured. He, therefore, lost no time in putting into practice this highly ingenious if not praiseworthy method; and much gold—or its equivalent-did the young man put into his pocket thereby. If any reader has a "souvenir from the Dry Tortugas" in the shape of a wreath or bouquet. of "ocean flowers," let him not hold it the less valuable, for a microscope can hardly detect the difference. If our young man did deceive, he "did his level best." The strangest of all characters here was Harry Blank, sentenced to "hard labor for three years, or during the war :" charges, "larceny and desertion." Blank was about nineteen years of age. He was slight in figure, lithe, and supple to an extraordinary extent. His forehead was very low and narrow; face small; and altogether he was perfectly monkey-like in appearance. Of course he was very soon in the guard-house for some infraction of discipline. After a little it became necessary to handcuff him. His hands were so remarkably small that "bracelets" could not be kept on him; but he played several dodges before this was discovered. HARRY BLANK. where the old woman was quietly at work, and then decamped, getting back without any one observing him. This theft was a mystery for several weeks, the daguerreotypes proving a serious loss, when the scamp told it circumstantially to the surgeon as a good joke. He had broken the articles, and thrown them into the ditch. After this an iron collar was made and fastened on his neck, beset with long spikes. This was, of course, too much for comfort; and, with the ball and chain on his ankles, he soon began to fail. Any thing like a thorough surveillance of him involved measures that were manifestly cruel. He was not vicious, was perfectly good-natured, but seemed constantly impelled to mischief. On one occasion only he showed a disposition to retaliate. An official of the work department, who had brutally treated him, passed in and out frequently, and Harry managed to secrete a musket from the adjoining guard-room, and cover his enemy, but was arrested before any harm was done. The same official was frightfully cut in the throat a few days after by another prisoner who had been maltreated by him. Harry, as a character, is introduced herethough a curious creature for observation-to show how potent is kind treatment as compared with the opposite. We are not disposed to inHis hand was a marvel of suppleness, as was sist that this is the most feasible method of also his whole frame. Harry was constantly treating thieves, or one likely to be profitable evading the sentry, and in mischief. He seemed to the state, unless we allow our institutions to care for nothing except as a means for making the luxury of benevolent, painstaking "men of fun or mischief. On one occasion he seized a the cloth." Suffice it to say the kind lady who broom, and whistled himself by the sentinel, say-assisted the surgeon in his endeavors to shield ing he had been sent to sweep the store-house, this godless creature from the heavy penalties where he contrived to secrete and convey articles laid upon him agrees with him that the result of clothing, and sell them before being detected. of our experiment, though not perfect, was a Once he crept into the engineer's store-house, source of great gratification. It had come to and set the molasses running from a hogshead, this pass. Harry Blank had so often been the as a monkey would, from pure mischief, telling subject of complaint, and every device been it next day as a joke. His was a most perfect used for restraining him, he was again made example of what the phrenologist would call a fast to the floor of the dungeon, the commanfull development in the region of "secretive- dant being wholly out of patience with him. He ness" and "destructiveness," with very small was here kept until the scurvy rendered him "frontal organs." So completely troublesome almost helpless. The surgeon then assumed was the scape-grace, the commanding officer or- the responsibility, and determined to hold him dered him chained to the dungeon floor; but for a trial. He was put in hospital, and rehere he soon became sick, and was allowed the stored to his usual health after a few weeks of freedom of the room. Eventually he was given treatment. the range of the corridor for air during the day. In this apartment an embrasure opened out over the ditch, or moat. The sentinel being concealed from this window in his beat, Harry deemed it favorable for a new enterprise. He let himself down just as the work people went to dinner, at an hour when the garrison was in the enjoyment of the noonday siesta. It was an easy matter to swim across the moat, run along the moat wall to the bakery, swim again, and climb in an embrasure by aid of the waterpipes. The coast clear, he helped himself in the bakery, and stepped into the dining-room of an old woman, wife of a boss workman. Here he pocketed a lot of daguerreotypes and mantel ornaments, peeped into the next room, During his stay in the hospital he was under promise of good behavior. He gave his word to the surgeon that he would not leave without liberty. He was trusted on that promise; was allowed the freedom of the garrison, as well as the hospital, precisely in the same manner as other patients-that is, liberty to go and come, always reporting the fact to the ward-master. He was, for good behavior, installed as a nurse, and no one of the nurses was more attentive and useful. Books of interest, with illustrations, were freely given him, as well as to other prisoners. Not tracts, if you please; religious tracts are not always the most useful in such cases; the dose is too strong. They are sometimes administered "ad nauseam.' Α more quiet and faithful servant than he was not to be found; and several months passed, during which time Harry was steadily at his post, enjoying all the liberty of the island, serving occasionally as boatman for the health officer, and not once was there cause for complaint. Unhappily a temporary absence of the surgeon gave Harry a chance to escape, and he made trial. Secreting himself at night, he set out on a flight of steps that was just buoyant enough to support him. He paddled this to Loggerhead, where he secreted himself in the cactus bushes, but was captured in the morning. He was thrown into the dungeon again, but soon effected his release-I fear for another world: He started in company with a man who had been arrested here for attempting the release of the "Lincoln state prisoners." The night was fearfully stormy, and, as the boat was a mere shell, it is pretty certain that this was the last of Harry Blank. Another prisoner, of the opposite character -a perverse, stubborn, dangerous character after undergoing every kind of punishment that could be devised by those in charge, came under a similar treatment, with equally good results. Without question a good work could be done by chaplains at such military posts, were they assigned to them. A pleasant little experiment was instituted here by our protégé, Harry, which shows him possessed of something like the Mark Tapleyan philosophy-to be jolly under the most adverse circumstances. Harry desired the luxury of a bath at the sea-side during the great heat of the summer, and obtained permission to indulge therein under the eye of the sentinel, though the commandant pointed significantly at the 'jewels" on his legs. On reaching the wharf Blank seized a stick of cord-wood, threw the chain over it with a turn or two to make secure, and shoved off into deep water for a swim, much to the surprise and amusement of the crowd, and much to the horror of the sentry, who feared that his charge had "exceeded instructions." 66 FROM the green hollows of the sea The happy west winds blew about Went bristling down their lofty rout, Beneath vast oriflammes tossed out In rippling interchange to greet me; While pale glad stars thronged forth to meet me With silvery-fine aerial shout; And swift the news from sky to sky was blown, And all the arch of heaven I made my own! O though thus regent of the dusky deep, I hang and listen for some sound of doom, Some far faint voice of morning and of bloomA rustle in the nest beside the sheaf, A dropping of the dew from leaf to leafWhen underneath the shadows stirs the dawn. Ay me! our frosty argents tarnished are! Reel fast, my realm, from your sublime adorning, Divided sceptre yield with sullen scorning, Challenge the east from farthest gorge and scaur! Yet, alas! gulfed within the primal charm, Twilight must simmer to a golden calm, And ye, a silent spectral host, must fleet, Hurled headlong in precipitous retreat Down huge abysses black with sudden yawning, The great shield of the sea upon your arm, Tossing above tumultuous spume and barm Till orient winds blow all the heavens sweet. When, climbing opaline slopes, a star Leans on resplendent battlements of warning, With glittering spear and casque, looks from afar O'er the serene of morning! THE wise Solomon snubs a class of people Twho are eternally babbling about the su periority of "the former days," and lamenting the decease of the good old times; but if any one has reason to complain, it is surely the modern traveler, who may be permitted to look back with envy and regret to those by-gone ages when the means of locomotion were so limited, and popular credulity so unlimited. When the tourist, on taking up his staff and scrip, or settling himself in his dug-out for an excursion, was stimulated by the reasonable hope of seeing something new under the sun; in the days when Jason went in search of the golden fleece; when sage Ulysses spent so many adventurous years paddling about in that shallow puddle, the Mediterranean; when the pious Eneas made that famous subterranean journey to explore a country which the pious folks of the present day are not supposed to visit; when traveled Herodotus told his entertaining stories; and when, instead of one great overshadowing publishing concern, every prince and hero entertained a "Harper" of his own to publish his life and actions, not in cloth and gilt bound volumes, to be sneered at and discredited by unfriendly and hireling critics, but issued viva voce at high festivals and jolly suppers, to audiences filled with meat and drink and amiable credulity. Those were, indeed, the days for travelers, bards, historians, and all other professors of the imaginative arts. But since the insatiable Anglo-Saxon has done our world so thoroughly, where shall we direct our restless steps with the rational hope of discovering a novelty, or what chance for indulgence in the poetic luxury of aberration, when any free-school brat may question your facts or criticise your geography? Indeed, for the romance of travel, we may as well concede that the surface of our present establishment is about used up, and until the coming man discovers a practicable entrance to the interior, or perfects aerial navigation sufficiently to enable us to visit our neighboring Lunatics, the tourist may as well lay aside pen and pencil, take half a dozen magazines and newspapers, light his pipe, and imitate the clever M. Gonzalez with his "Voyages en Pantoufles." In accordance with the foregoing reflections we had sat down in our slippers, lighted our pipe, and cut the leaves of our fresh magazine, when the mail brought us an invitation to visit the region of the minor lakes in Western New York. At the reading the air was balmy with the buds and blossoms of early May; the bluebirds warbled lovingly as they worked at their cottage-building in the eaves; and boon Nature seemed to have put on all her blandishments to induce acceptance. Then we were promised a select company in a special car. Among the excursionists there would be editors, artists, clergymen, scholars, poets, and philosophers, such as travel to gather ideas rather than dimes; men who live and labor to develop the true, the beautiful, the elevated, rather than to heap up the mere means of living; whose labors are so often futile and whose lives failures for lack of those very means, which old Gradgrind accumulates so easily, and don't know how to spend. We were to meet in Baltimore, at the dépôt of the Northern Central Railroad, on Monday, the 9th of May. The hour of starting 12.40 by bell and whistle. Accepted. |