. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. '.Lrj.—Slcmitin rubra. iSNAUi.—Junthiiia ciyinwuiih. ASS'S V.\n.—lhill.;iis nsiiilmoi. GUERNSEY SEA-EAR-//.i?io(is tuhercuhilua. wnrlil, !uk1 in tlioso at the base were fdimd only the nndeveloped cgf^s. This raft retains the nir for a considerable time after the death of the animal, and even if removed and (hied will not lose its expanded form f(M' several weeks. In a month or so, however, it generally colla])ses. A similar result take
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. '.Lrj.—Slcmitin rubra. iSNAUi.—Junthiiia ciyinwuiih. ASS'S V.\n.—lhill.;iis nsiiilmoi. GUERNSEY SEA-EAR-//.i?io(is tuhercuhilua. wnrlil, !uk1 in tlioso at the base were fdimd only the nndeveloped cgf^s. This raft retains the nir for a considerable time after the death of the animal, and even if removed and (hied will not lose its expanded form f(M' several weeks. In a month or so, however, it generally colla])ses. A similar result takes place; if the cn^ature be placed iu spirits, so that to prepiire a specimen ]iermanently is a task of <freat dilliculty. The attachment oi' the rait to the shell is exceedingly slight, and in rough weather is frequently broken by the tossing waves, so that tlie raft is seen lloating as usual, while the auinial to which it belonged lias ])nibably sunk deeply beneath the surface. Whether the creature possch'ses the power of reproducing the raft is a mooted ([uestion. When floating at case, the raft is the only portion that is visible, the shell itself being under water. The food of the Janthina is .said to consist mostly of the small blue velellre, but as the animal is without eyes, and is incajnible of directing its course, it cannot be very rapacious, yome minute brown shells have been found in the stomach of several f-peeiniens. TUo Janthina secretes a rather richly coloured fluid, respecting which many conflicting opinions have been given. Mr. F. 1). Heiuictt, who has made some valuable observations on this curious , has the following remarks upon the fluid :— "The body of this molhisc contains a very l)lue iiijuid, which, when the animal is punctured, exud(!s to the amount of three or' four large ilrops. It is readily diffused through water or colourless spirit—to the former it communicates a faiiit tiime of its. Please note that these images are
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubj, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectmollusks
