Fronds
1 Mussels attached by their byssus threads to the glass2 Fronds ofChondrus chrispus3 Fronds ofDelesseria Sanguinea4 Fronds ofUlva latissima
Noornament for the drawing-room or parlour can possibly be more beautiful than a well-stocked and tastefully-arranged aquarium; nor is there one likely to be productive of a greater amount of pleasure and amusement. And it is instructive as well as amusing, for by means of it the statements of writers relative to the habits of certain marine animals may be verified by personal observation, and even difficult problems in natural history satisfactorily solved. Aided by one of these 'mimic oceans,' let the reader commence the practical study of marine zoology, and I have little fear of his ever becoming tired of it.
'Age cannot wither it, nor custom staleIts infinite variety.'
'Age cannot wither it, nor custom staleIts infinite variety.'
When pursued even in the most humble way, this recreation yields a degree of interest greater than any other 'hobby' can produce, at least in an equal space of time. If engaged in business during the day, the student can always devote an hour morning or evening to the aquarium, and when least expected,some circumstance will take place to excite his wonder, and fill his mind with deep and devout reflection. Moreover, the young naturalist will undoubtedly derive pleasure from his endeavours to establish published facts relative to many of his little prisoners; pleasure in noting down any interesting anecdote that may occur; pleasure in knowing that his time is being profitably spent; and above all, that he is making himself acquainted with objects framed with marvellous skill and care by the hand of the Almighty:—
'Wonderful indeed are all His works,Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be allHad in remembrance, always with delight.'
'Wonderful indeed are all His works,Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be allHad in remembrance, always with delight.'
Without further preface, I shall now proceed to offer some practical hints relative to the establishment of a marine aquarium. And, as some of my readers may be perfectly unacquainted with the subject, I shall treat it in as simple a style as possible. If, however, the experienced zoologist will kindly follow me to the end of the chapter, it may be that he will find some hints sufficiently new and useful to repay him for his trouble.
First, then, in regard to the tank. This indispensable requisite may be procured at certain shops in almost every town in the United Kingdom. Its price varies from two or three shillings to £20. The expensive kinds are generally oblong in form, but their construction being somewhat intricate,they are apt to get out of order, unless made by skilful and thoroughly competent artistes. Under certain circumstances, there is no doubt that an oblong tank of moderate dimensions is a great desideratum; but what I wish particularly to impress upon the mind of the reader is, that a large tank is not at all necessary in order to study the habits of marine animals; indeed, the more capacious the vessel, the more difficult becomes the task of watching the secret movements of any of its occupants. On this account it not unfrequently happens that a common glass tumbler becomes of much greater service to the student than the most elaborate aquarium.
The tanks which I use are circular in form, the largest being not more than sixteen inches in diameter, by seven inches in depth. Its cost was four shillings. Each one rests on a base of mahogany, elevated on turned legs to a height of nine inches.
Some persons object to the circular tank, on the ground that its occupants when seen from the sides appear magnified. This fact, as I have elsewhere remarked, is rather a recommendation with me, as it presents more distinct views of each movement in the vessel, and whenever I wish to see the objects of their natural size, I can do so by looking in from the top.
On the edge of the tank are placed three chips of gutta percha in which are inserted three steelpins with brass heads; on these there is laid a circular piece of common glass, cut two inches larger than the diameter of the tank. As the 'pins' are about three-quarters of an inch above the tank, they allow a current of air to pass over the water, and also prevent, to a certain extent, particles of dust from falling in. On the edge of the movable lid Ipastesome crimson lace, which serves for ornament, and also prevents the glass from cutting the hand of any person moving it about. Sometimes I have a circular piece, about four inches in diameter, cut out of the centre of the glass lid, which allows the latter to be lifted off easily.
A glass syringe to aerate the water occasionally, a camel-hair pencil, an ivory crotchet pin, and a pair of gutta percha forceps, complete the whole machinery of the aquarium, the cost of which is so trifling that the poorest person might manage to procure them.
One great point in favour of an aquarium, and one by no means generally understood is, that having once filled the tank with salt water, it will last for months, and even years, if proper care be taken, without requiring one particle of sea-water to be again added; for as the water evaporates, the salt falls to the bottom, and the deficiency may be supplied withfreshwater from the cistern or filter. In order to ascertain when the sea-water is of the proper density, you require to have a 'gravity bubble,' which can behad for sixpence. This may always be kept in the tank. When 'all's well' it sinks to the bottom, and when anything comes amiss it rises to the surface, but falls again quickly upon the introduction of the fresh water.[20]
A more simple plan is, to mark on the glass the height of the fluid when the tank is first filled, then as the water sinks, raise it again to its original level by means of fresh water.
Many persons decline starting an aquarium on account of the great difficulty of procuring a proper supply of sea-water. This objection, of course, can be offered only by those who happen to reside inland; but even these need not now be discouraged, for an ingenious plan has lately been devised for sending the commodity in question through the post!
Mr. Bolton, chemist, Holborn Bars, London, supplies, not sea-water, but 'marine salts for the instantaneous production of sea-water,' About six ounces is sufficient to make a gallon, by the application offreshwater. The saline material here alluded to, is not an artificial chemical compound, but is produced by the simple process of evaporating sea-water itself. Those individuals so fortunate as to possess a marine villa, or any other more humble residence at or near the sea-coast, have no occasionto resort to the scheme above-mentioned for filling their tanks, a pure supply of sea-water being attainable with scarcely any trouble whatever. A stone jar should be kept for this purpose only, and care taken that the vessel is perfectly free from any smell, as that of spirits, dirty corks, or the like, as any such impurity would quickly spoil the water.
It may not be uninteresting to some of my readers to know, that in France an aquarium cannot be established with the same ease as in England. In the former country 'the whole contents of the sea itself is a contraband article,—that is, the contents of the salt sea of the English Channel or the Atlantic Ocean.' One writer tells us, that staying on the French coast, he kept sea-anemones alive in glasses, but was frequently warned by his friends to be careful how he fetched water from the sea, lest the custom-officers should interrupt him. 'My bottle,' to use the writer's own words, 'being very small, they let it pass, on the principle that the law does not care about extremest trifles; had it been a pailful, the case would have been different. A lady keeping a marine aquarium, explained her wants to the local head of the customs. He came and saw it—found it beautiful, and being a gentlemanly man, with some love for natural history, he gave a written order for the procuring of any reasonable quantity of water from the sea. Every time the needful element was brought from the shore, it was accompanied byits passport, as formally as if it had been a cask of wine, or a suspicious stranger. French salt sellers thus enjoy the height of protection; they are protected even from their colossal competitor, the sea!'
I do not know a prettier sight than that exhibited by a healthy aquarium on a fine summer's day; the effect of the sunshine upon it being to cause innumerable bubbles of oxygen—that look like balls of quicksilver—to form on every weed, shell, and smallest pebble. On looking through the transparent sides of the vessel, small particles hitherto resting on its base, may be seen slowly arising to the surface of the water, each buoyed up by a miniature gas balloon. The broad, ribbon like fronds of the ulva, from the self-same cause, float upwards, and reflect a beauteous emerald hue upon all objects that lie beneath; while the glass bulb, placed in the tank as before stated, to denote the density of the water, at such a time belies its mission, and covered with numerous argent globules, mounts gracefully in companionship with the sea-weed, until shades of evening approach, when its buoyancy gradually subsides, and once more it falls to its original resting-place.
Wherever the above phenomenon is apparent, rest assured that the aquarium is in good condition. It is, in fact, to the oxygen thus given out by the plants and infant vegetation that the animals owe their existence. If no algæ were introduced, thewater would become impure, and unless changed often, your little colony would surely die,—at least those of its members who were unable to rise above the fluid, and occasionally breathe the fresh air.
The secret herein involved, that animal and vegetable respirations counterbalance each other, has only of late years been discovered; yet it is apparent to any observing eye at the sea-shore; there we never meet with a rock-pool containing living animals, that is not more or less adorned with sea-weeds.
The green Lettuce Ulva, so abundant in rock-pools, the sea-grass, which covers almost every fixed object at the sea-shore, or the well-known dulse or Chondrus Crispus, form the only sea-weeds that it is necessary to introduce into an aquarium. In fact, one or two fronds of the Ulva Latissima alone, will answer perfectly well to purify the water of even a comparatively large tank. I have often been surprised to find how small a quantity of algæ was required for the purpose mentioned. After allowing a single frond to float for a few days in a tank, in which some sea-water was newly deposited, I took it out, and for an entire twelvemonth the water remained healthy and as clear as crystal.
The arrangement of the 'stock' of an aquarium is quite a matter of taste; perhaps no two persons adopt precisely the same plan. It may, therefore, be advisable, as this matter is so arbitrary, for the writer to state how his own tanks are mapped out,leaving it to his readers to imitate the arrangements, or adopt a style of their own as they may think proper.
At one time I used to make a grounding of sand, but this plan is not to be recommended, even though it be one highly approved of by several species of crabs, &c. White pebbles do very well, but I now prefer to cover the base of the tank with crushed shells, washed very clean.
The following is a sketch of one of my tanks as it at present stands:—
In the centre of the vessel is asemi-circular arch, formed of pure white Sicilian marble, which has to my eye a most pleasing appearance. Around it, and indeed over the entire floor of the tank, are strewn chippings of the same material as the centre piece itself.[21]From the arch, at certain intervals, hang various sized specimens of theMytilus edulis, which have gradually advanced to their more or less elevated positions entirely by their own unaided exertions. Near hand a hardyA. mesembryanthemumhas taken up his abode, and sits with ever expanded tentacles, motionless and happy. On either side of the Anemone is deposited a riband of Doris spawn, that undulates to and fro whenever by any chance the water is in the slightest degree disturbed. Severalsoldier crabs, of course, act as sentinels of the tank, and appear to be ever 'on duty,' marching about in all parts of their subaqueous habitation; while beneath the marble fragments repose, each with his 'weather eye' open, a smallMaia squinado, two long-armed crabs, and a smallCarcinus mænas. On the sides of the vase rest a Limpet, a Trochus, and two fine Periwinkles, with skin of glossy blackness. The shells of either 'Buckie' is covered with myriads of quicksilver globules, that rest on the tips of the young and rising vegetation like dew upon the bladed grass. As I write, upon the inner surface of the water, like a fly upon the ceiling of a room, an Eolis and two pearly white Dorides lie idly floating in close companionship. Beneath them, upon the verge of the aperture of a large empty whelk shell, sits a pretty, cream-coloured Plumose Anemone (A. dianthus). On two blocks of stone repose several specimens of that mysterious animal the Pholas, who, by my unkindness, are thus made to become members of the marine 'houseless poor.' Several young specimens of these bivalves are seated, in a piece of rock, and daily engaged in 'boring.' A stick of wood, formerly the slender twig of a tree, is thickly clustered with fairy-handed acorn barnacles and serpulæ, and being placed against the glass, the movements of these singularly beautiful creatures can be watched with ease. Then there are two Star-fishes, a pack of three little Blennies, and a Five-beardedRockling, whose singular movements I have previously alluded to. Against the arch some fronds of ulva are anchored, while at chosen spots specimens of delicate sea-weeds are also fixed—these rising up, and being magnified through the sides of the vase, have a pleasing effect, even to the eye of a child.
It is a pretty sight to watch the fishes glide under and around the marble arch, or throw themselves upon its highest point, there to enjoy the fresh air, and have a pleasant 'crack' together. This expression is literally correct, for the Blennies, when thus situated, usually make a kind of noise not inaptly expressed by snapping the nail of the thumb and finger together.
The foregoing animals which constitute the entire stock of one tank, are, I am proud to state, all in a healthy condition, and if we may judge by appearances, all contented and happy. It will be from no fault of mine if they do not long continue thus, and exhibit no signs of yearning for their native haunts by the sea-shore.
'Those gay watery grots—Small excavations on a rocky shore,That seem like fairy baths or mimic wells,Richly embossed with choicest weed and shells,As if her trinkets nature chose to hideWhere nought invaded but the flowing tide.'
'Those gay watery grots—Small excavations on a rocky shore,That seem like fairy baths or mimic wells,Richly embossed with choicest weed and shells,As if her trinkets nature chose to hideWhere nought invaded but the flowing tide.'
In another tank I have introduced as a centre object a fine piece of white coral, the higher branches of which rise above the surface of the water. Theroughness of the coral seems to be much approved of by many of the animals, who are not slow to avail themselves of the facility thus afforded them of climbing and otherwise exercising their peculiar propensities. When purchasing coral, care must be taken to procure a specimen that has not undergone any cleaning process, for although such may be more pleasing to the eye, it is not so suitable for a 'centre piece' as the cream-coloured, and less expensive coral.
A third aquarium which I possess is fitted up in a somewhat novel style, which offers, for certain purposes, some slight advantages over others that I have seen employed. It can be adopted in almost any kind of tank; but the one under consideration is circular in form, and is, in fact, a bell-shaped inverted fern glass, the knob of which is sunk into a stand of wood supported on three legs.
The plan alluded to, which was suggested to the writer by an ingenious friend,[22]consists of the introduction of a floating centre piece composed of gutta percha, which serves as a resting place for various small animals, such as Actiniæ, Mussels, Barnacles, Serpulæ, and even Pholades and Cockles. At the base of the vessel, which is quite uncovered, rest sundry members of the crustaceous family, whilstfishes of various kinds swim freely about over the entire vessel free from all annoyance.
The question will doubtless be asked, 'How can I procure the centre piece here spoken of?' I answer, Make it yourself; a little skill combined with patience and gutta percha being all that is required. The following directions will serve to aid the young reader who may wish to test his manipulative powers.
Procure a thin piece of gutta percha, and lay it in hot water for a few minutes until it is thoroughly soft and pliable. Then get a globe—an orange will do if nothing better offers—and cover it with the above material. Having done this, throw it into cold water, and when hard, cut the fruit in two, so as to leave the gutta percha cast to the shape of each half.
Next make a circular tray about eight or nine inches in diameter, and turn up its edge about half an inch all round. Then heat the brim of each cup, and fasten them to the centre of the upper and under part of the 'tray.' The structure will then float in water. This, however, is not all that you want, as your centre piece must always be entirely immersed. First bore a few holes in the tray, then fix a pretty shell, with a hole in it, to the base of the lower 'cup,' and also form a loop of gutta percha, from which to suspend, by means of a piece of silk, a fragment of stone or marble of sufficient bulk tobalance the centre piece, and sink it an inch or two below the surface of the water. At the centre of the upper cup fasten a small piece of gutta percha tube, at the end of which the valve of a Pecten may be attached as an ornament. The whole structure must be gently warmed and entirely coated with fine sand; then tastefully decorated with shells and fronds of green Ulva, and the crimson Delesseria Sanguinea.
Sometimes I introduce a globe of glass as a buoy, and to its centre attach the tray of gutta percha.
A useful centre piece, a specimen of which I have had in use for several months, may be formed thus. Make a tripod of gutta percha, on the top of which attach the valve of a Pecten. From the centre of this object fix a branch of coral by aid of gutta percha, in such a way that it rises above the water in the tank. From under the shell pieces of coral may be made to branch out in various directions. The stand should be coated either with crushed shells or sand, to give it an ornamental appearance.
It is often a source of annoyance to find the base of the aquarium so thickly covered with dirt, &c. To get rid of this great 'eye sore,' without emptying and re-arranging the tank, I call in the aid of a very simple and effective instrument. By its application all objectionable matter may be gradually removed without in the slightest degree disturbing the water, or materially displacing the objects situated at the base of the vessel.
The instrument mentioned is composed of a gutta percha globe, made in the manner previously described, into one end of which is inserted a tube of gutta percha or glass about four inches long, and at the opposite end of the ball is introduced a second tube about eight inches in length.
To use this instrument, close the orifice of the longest tube, and plunge it into the water over any spot where the debris is collected, then by removing your finger from the end of the tube,the impurity will be instantly sucked up into the ball. By again placing the finger in its former position, the siphon may be lifted out of the tank, and its contents allowed to run off into a jug or basin placed near for the purpose.
This operation must be repeated until the whole of the offending particles are removed. Of course, more water will be drawn off than is necessary, but it can easily be poured back into the tank as soon as the sediment has been fully precipitated.
Aquaria are generally much more difficult to keep in order in summer than in winter, owing to the rapid and profuse growth of minute vegetation which renders the water opaque and exceedingly unpleasant to the eye.
This ugly opacity I at one time attributed to decaying animal matter, for I could scarcely believe that the mere increase of the algæ spores could produce such a vile effect. Experience, however, hasproved that the latter was in reality the true cause. I tried often by syringing the water, or drawing it off by means of the siphon, or stirring it about in all manner of ways, to remove the objectionable muddiness, but always without success. Limpets and Periwinkles seemed quite useless. Nor did shutting out the rays of light for a few days have any perceptible effect in subduing the growth of the algæ which collected with wondrous rapidity, and arrayed each stone, shell, pebble, and even the poor crabs, in a greenish garb.
I was therefore under the necessity, on several occasions, of renewing the water, and considering that my residence was several miles from the sea-coast, this task was by no means a pleasant one. What made matters still more provoking, was the fact that the rejected fluid seemed perfectly free from all offensive smell. I now adopt the following novel method for removing the opacity of the water, without the latter being changed, and also for preventing the too abundant growth of the algæ at all seasons.
The plan in question (which requires, as already shown, to be carried out with extreme caution by the inexperienced aquarianist) is merely to dilute a small quantity ofalumin a wine-glass full of water, and then mix it with the water contained in the aquarium. A pellet of alum about the size of a pea is sufficient for the purpose, if the tank be of moderate size. And if inserted on the first appearance ofdimness in the water, much future trouble will be saved.
Supposing the water to have become opaque, proceed thus—Draw off a portion into a large jug, and mix with it the diluted acid as before stated, then let the jug remain undisturbed for about twelve hours. The vegetation having been deposited in flakes at the base of the vessel, the water should then be gently strained off through a piece of fine muslin into a second receptacle, which, in its turn, should be allowed to stand for some time, and the contents again strained as before. This process it is advisable to repeat several times, until the whole of the fluid in the tank has been thoroughly cleansed from impurity.
Should the water be returned too early, an unpleasant fur coating will appear over the entire base of the tank. This can be easily removed by means of the siphon. Let one end of this instrument, when in action, be passed gradually over the lower portion of the vase, and in the course of a few minutes every sign of 'fur' will be obliterated with the loss of but a small portion of water. When once the fluid has been clarified in the manner here mentioned, there is little fear of the young aquarianist being again troubled in like manner for many months, the acid apparently preventing the algæ from being reproduced to any such excess as hitherto.
Extracted principally from Professor Owen's learned work entitled, "Lectures on theComparative Anatomy and Physiology of the Invertebrate Animals."
Ambulacra(L.ambulacrum, an avenue, or place for walking). The perforated series of plates in the shell of the Sea-star, or Sea-urchin, through which the sucking-feet are protruded.
Acalepha(Gr.akalephe, a nettle). The class of radiated animals with soft skins which have the power of stinging like a nettle. Commonly called Sea-nettles or Jelly-fish.
Actinæ(Gr.aktin, a ray). The genus of Polypes which have many arms radiating from around the mouth.
Alternate generation.That modification of generation in which the young do not resemble the parent, but the grandparent; so that the successive series of individuals seem to represent two species, alternately reproduced, in which also parthenogenesis alternates with the ordinary engendering by impregnation.
Algæ(sea-weeds). A large class of cryptogamic plants inhabiting salt and fresh water.
Anomoura(Gr.anomos, irregular, andoura, a tail). A section of crustaceous animals distinguished like the Hermit crabs, by the irregular form of the tails.
Annelid.The Anglicised singular ofannelleta.
Adductor muscles, are those which hold together the shell of a bivalve, such as the Oyster, Mussel, &c.
Animalcules.Those extremely small animals which are invisible to the naked eye.
Antenna(from the Latin for yard-arm). Applied to the jointed feelers or horns upon the head of insects and crustacea.
Balanoids(Gr.balanos, an acorn). A family of Sessile cirripeds, the shells of which are commonly called Acorn-shells.
Bivalve.When a shell consists of two parts, closing like a double door. The mollusca so protected are commonly called bivalves, as the Mussel.
Brachyura(Gr.brachus, short;oura, tail). The tribe of crustacea with short tails, as the Crabs.
BranchiæThe gills or respiratory organs which extract the oxygen from air contained in water, as in fishes and other aquatic animals.
Buccal(L.bucca, mouth). Belonging to the mouth.
Byssus(Gr.byssos, fine flax). A term applied to the silken filaments or 'beard' of the Mussel and Pinna.
Carapace.The upper shell of the Crab, &c.
Calcareous.Composed more or less of lime.
Carnivorous(L.caro, flesh;voro, I devour). The animals which feed on flesh.
Caudal(L.cauda, the tail). Belonging to the tail.
Cephalópoda(Gr.kephale, a head;pous, a foot). The class of Molluscous animals in which long prehensile processes, or feet, project from the head, as in the Cuttle-fish.
Ciliogrades(L.cilium, an eyelash;gradior, I walk). The order of theacalephæ(as the Beröe) which swims by action of cilia.
Cilia(L.cilium, an eyelash). The microscopic hair-like bodies which cause, by their vibratile action, currents in the contiguous fluid, or a motion of the body to which they are attached.
Cirri(L.cirrus, a curl). The curled filamentary appendages, as at the feet of the Barnacles.
Cirripedes, orCirripedia(L.cirrus, a curl;pes, a foot). A class of articulate animals having curled, jointed feet; sometimes written Cirrhipedia and Cirrhopoda.
Conchifera(L.concha, a shell;fero, I bear). Shell-fish; usually restricted to those with bivalve shells.
Comminuted.Broken or ground down into small pieces.
Conchology.The department of science which treats of shells.
Convoluted(L.convolutus). Rolled together.
Cornea(L.corneus, horny). The transparent horny membrane in front of the eye.
Crinoid(Gr.krinon, a lily;eidos, a discourse). A family of Star-fishes which bear some resemblance to the form of a lily. The fossils called Stone-lilies, or Encrinites, are examples.
Crustacea(L.crusta, a crust). The class of articulate animals (which includes the Crab, Lobster, &c.) with a hard skin or crust, which they cast periodically.
Decapoda(Gr.deca, ten;pous, a foot). The crustaceous and molluscous animals, which have ten feet, such as the Crab, Cray-fish, &c.
Digitate(L.digitus, a finger). When a part supports processes like fingers.
Effete.Barren, worn out.
Elytra(Gr.elytron, a sheath). The sheath or wing covers of coleopterous insects (Beetles).
Entomostraca(Gr.entoma, insects;ostracon, a shell). The order of small crustaceans, many of which are enclosed in an integument like a bivalve shell.
Entomology(Gr.entoma, insects;logos, a discourse). The branch of science treating of insects.
Exuvium, Pl.exuviæ(L.exuo, I cast off). The shell or skin of an animal which is shed in moulting.
Epizoa(Gr.epi, upon;zoon, an animal). The class of low organized parasitic crustaceans which live upon other animals.
Fissiparous(L.fissus, divided;pario, I produce). The multiplication of a species by the self-cleavage of the individual into two parts.
Frond(L.frons, a leaf). A term applied to that part of flowerless plants resembling true leaves.
Fucivorous(L.fucus, sea-weed;voro, I devour). Animals which subsist on sea-weed.
Flora.The plants which belong to a country or district.
Foliaceous(L.folium, a leaf). Shaped or arranged like leaves.
Gasteropoda(Gr.gaster, stomach;pous, a foot). That class of animals which (like the Snail) have the locomotive organ attached to the under part of the body.
Gemmiparous(L.gemma, a bud;pario, I produce). Propagation by the growth of the young like a bud from the parent.
Habitat.The locality in which an animal habitually resides.
Hinge.That part of a shell at which the valves cohere.
Hyaline(Gr.hualos, crystal). The pellucid substance which determines the spontaneous fission of cells.
Hydra(Gr.hudra, a water serpent). The modern generic name of certain fresh water polypes.
Hydrogen(Gr.hydor, water;gemmæ, I produce). A gas forming one of the components of water and atmospheric air.
Infusoria.The class of animalcules which abound in vegetable and animal infusions.
Lamellibranchiata(L.lamella, a plate;branchiæ, gills). The class of acephalous molluscs, with gills in the form of membraneous plates, of which the oyster and mussel are familiar examples.
Larva(L.larva, a mask). Applied to an insect in its first active state, which is generally different from, and, as it were, masks the ulterior form.
Ligament. A membrane close by the hinge which connects the valves.
Mantle.The external soft, contractile skin of the mollusca, which covers the viscera and a great part of the body like a cloak.
Macroura(Gr.makros, long;oura, a tail). A tribe of ten-footed crustacea (as the Lobster, Cray-fish), which have long tails.
Medusæ.A genus or family of soft radiated animals or Acalephæ, so called because their organs of motion and prehension are spread out like the snaky hair of the fabled medusa.
Molecules.Microscopic particles of matter.
Mollusc—Mollusca(L.mollis, soft). The primary division of the animal kingdom. It contains most shell-fish, slugs, &c.
Monograph(Gr.monos, one;grapho, I write). A written description of a single thing, or class of things.
Multivalve(L.multus, many;valvæ, folding doors). Shells composed of many pieces or valves, as the Chiton.
Nudibranchiate(L.nudus, naked;branchiæ, gills). An order of gasteropods, in which the gills are exposed, as the Eolis, Doris, &c.
Oxygen.A gas which is one of the constituent parts of water and of atmospheric air. It is essential to animal life.
Oviparous(L.ovum, an egg;pario, I bring forth). The animals which bring forth eggs.
Operculum(from the Latin for lid). Applied to the horny or shelly plate which closes certain univalve shells, as the Whelk, Periwinkle, &c.
Papillæ(L.papilla, a nipple). Soft prominences which resemble in form the teats of animals.
Palpi(L.palpo, I touch). The organs of touch commonly called 'feelers,' developed from the lablum and maxillæ of insects.
Pectinated(L.pecten, a comb). Toothed like a comb.
Physograde(Gr.physis, air;gradior, I advance). The acalephes that swim by means of air-bladders.
Phytophagous(Gr.phuton, a plant;phago, I eat). Plant-eating animals.
Pulmonigrade(L.pulmo, a lung;gradior, I walk). The tribe of Medusæ which swim by contraction of the respiratory disc.
Rotifera(L.rota, a wheel;fero, I bear). The name of a class of infusorial animalcules, characterized by the vibratile and apparently rotating ciliary organs upon the heads.
Rhodospermes.The red-coloured sea-weeds.
Serrated(L.serra, a saw). Toothed like a saw.
Sessile.Attached by a base.
Silicious(L.silex, a flint). Flinty.
Setæ.Bristles, or similar parts.
Spicula(L.spiculum, a point or dart). Fine-pointed bodies, like needles.
Tuberculate.Warty, or carved with small rounded knobs.
Testacea(L.testa, a shell). Molluscs with a shelly covering, as the Oyster, Whelk, &c.
Univalve(L.unus, one;valvæ, doors). A shell composed of one calcareous piece, as the Periwinkle.
Umbones.The base of a shell about the hinge.
Viviparous(L.vivus, alive;pario, I bring forth). The animals which bring forth their young alive. See Oviparous.
Whorl.The spiral turn of a shell.
Zoology(Gr.zoon, animal;logos, a discourse). That branch of science that treats of the habits, structure, and classification of animals.
Zoologist.One who is acquainted with the science of Zoology.
Zoophyte(Gr.zoon, an animal;phyton, a plant). The lowest primary division of the animal kingdom, which includes many animals that are fixed to the ground and have the form of plants.
Animalculæ,37.Actiniæ(Sea anemones),38,47.mesembryanthemum,48,365.troglodytes,51,62.bellis,56.dianthus,57,62,154,366.crassicornis,61,100.coriacea,56.parasitica,66.explorator,51.Acorn barnacles,145.Adductor muscle,178,182.Annelids,154,191,315.Acalephæ,203.Alternation of generations,214.Aphrodite aculeata,267.Aplysiæ,54,309,311.Aquariæ(on the formation of marine),357.Anomoura(Hermit crabs),69,92,130,133.Asteriadæ,271.Algæ,97.A. ventilabrum,161.Amphitrite,162.Buccinum undutum,92.Byssus of Mussel,168,170,177,184.Beröe,210.Bêches de mer,31.Brittle Star-fishes,277.Bird's foot Sea-star,285.Blenny (Smooth),71,104,236,336,341,365.Blenny (Viviparous),346.Butter fish,347.Brachyura(crabs, &c.),69,133.Buckie,93.Barnacles,98,146.Barnacle geese,150.Boring Acephaia,251.Bivalves,122,167,282,363.Bearded rockling,346.Cilia,35,147,214.Coryne,41.Crabs,67.Cancer Pagurus(Edible crab),67,69,128.Carcinus mænas(Common Shore crab),67,78,120,127,167,239.Common Whelk,94.Common Cockle,84,106,239.Cray fish,128,131.Crangon vulgaris(Common Shrimp),139.Cestum veneris,209.Cydippe pileus,210.Cyanea capillata,218.Comatula rosacea,275.Crinoid Star fishes,275.Cross fish,280.Cushion stars,285.Cake Urchin,300.Chondrus crispus(Irish moss),101,123.Cirri,147.Cetacea,205.Chiton,226.C. offinalis,285.Ciliograde acalephæ,209.Common Sea cucumber,305.Doris,223,363.Doris (Spawn of),226.Diminutive Sucker-fish,350.Decapoda(ten-footed crustacea),69,85,115.D. sanguinea,78,118,368.Dorsibranchiate annelidans,155.Devil's hand,279.Dulse,310.Exuviation of Crabs, &c.,85,113,120,132.Exuviation of Prawns, &c.,139.Exuviation of Barnacles,147.
Eolis,223.Eolis, (Spawn of) 228.papillosa,228.Echinus,291.sphæra,297.Entomology,29.Egg Urchin,297.Foraminifera,24,30.Fan-amphitrite,161,163.Fishes 329.Five-fingers (Star-fish),281.Gulf stream,206.Girdle of Venus,209.Green-pea urchin,299.Gunnel-fish,346.Goby (one-spotted),309,348.Goby (two-spotted),348.Gasterosteus aculeatus,352.Golden willow,87.Hyas araneus,80.Hermit crabs,94,105,108,130.Hydra tuba,213.Hydra gelatinosa,213.Hyaline stylet,239.Holothuriadæ,303.Infusoria,33,43,227.Iridea edulis,74,236.Irish Moss,101.Jelly fish,203.Kerona silurus,35.Lepas anatifera(Ship barnacle),148,150.Laminated nereis,155.Luidia fragillissima,285.Lepus marinus,309.Lettuce Ulva,180,364.Limpet,81,98.Lobster crabs,94.Lily stars,271.Lobster (The),131,290.L. digitata(Oar weed),277.Lingthorn,285.Lump sucker,347.Maia squinado(Spider crab),79,80,82,167.Mussel (Mytilus edulis),82,122,167,363.Medusæ,203,210,216.Modera formosa,217.Montague Sucker-fish,349.Marine Aquariæ,357.Macroura(as Lobsters), &c.Nereis,155,158.Nudibranchiate gasteropoda,226.Ostrea edulis(oyster),81.Ophiuræ,277.texturata,277.albida,277.Ophiocoma rosula,279.Paramecium caudatum,35.Portunus puber(Velvet crab),68.Porcellana longicornis(Minute Porcelain crab),79.Periwinkle,95.Pagurus bernardhus(Hermit crab),96,108,146.Pecten,108,370.Prawn, Common (Palæmon squilla),137.Phyllodoce laminosa,155.Purpura lapillus(Whelk),103,168.Portuguese man-of-war,212.Pholas (crispata),84,153,236,245,258,365.Pholas (dactylus),260.Pentacrinus Europæus,275.Psolus phantapus,304.Pike-fish,339.Pinnotheres pisum(Common Pea-crab),82.Pinna,83.Partane, The (Edible crab),65,124.Pulmonigrade acalephæ,21l.Physograde acalephæ,211.Parthenogenesis,218.Rotifera, or Wheel-bearers,36.Rosy Feather star,276.Rosy Heart urchin,300.Rockling (Five-bearded),347.Razor-fish,323.Stickleback,25,108,352.Sertularia,41.Ship Barnacle,145.Sea-Mouse,267.Star fishes,273.Solaster papposa,167,284.endeca,284.Sea Urchins,289.
Silky Spined urchin,299.Sea Cucumbers,303.Sea Hares,309.Serpulæ,315.Sabellæ,315,319.Solen siliqua, Razor-fish,324.Soldier crabs,92.Shrimps,137.Saxicavæ,248.Sucker fishes,348.Shore crab,65,68,72,120,235.Swimming crab,66.Spider crab,78.Salex vitellina(golden willow),87.Silver Willie (T. zizziphanus),191.Terebella figulus(the potter),191,195.littoralis,197.Trepang,304.Top-shell,132.Trochus,146.Tubiculous annelids,162,194.Tanks,355.Uraster rubens,167,281.Ulva latissima,98,180,367,368.Univalves,94.Urchins (Sea),298.Vorticellæ,35,38.Velvet Fiddler crab,66,74.Whelk (Purpura lapillus),168.Zoothamnium spirale,43.Zooids,219.Zoophytes,47,49.