DREDGING IN THE RIVER CROUCH.
89
Several specimens of Sabella penicillus were brought up alive,
looking very unattractive when withdrawn into the leathery tubes,
but beautiful when the head, with its feathery mottled plumes, is dis-
played in full movement, gathering in the food by which it lives.
These are very abundant, and are called locally "Hassocks." Years
ago they were thus written of by Dr. Baird:—
"In some of our creeks and tidal rivers these animals abound in
immense numbers, and on the coast of Essex they are known to the
fishermen by the name of 'Hassocks.' When dredging in the River
Roach, I have often come upon banks where they existed in hun-
dreds of thousands, and appear in masses of large extent, growing
erect like a standing field of corn."
Of the Polyzoa, we found only one fresh record, Bicellaria
ciliata, local name "Moseyweed," which is, however, one of the
most beautiful, each cell being armed with seven long and delicate
processes or spines. This genus appears to be world-wide in its
distribution, and delicately coloured species may be found on
Australian coasts.
Membranipora, Lepralia, and Eschara were fairly abundant, as
before.
The Sea Anemones I only mention as I have endeavoured to
preserve one of these, Actinia mesembryanthemum; but I do not
think I have been very successful, knowing how very beautiful they
are when alive and extended. We found two or three species ; one
little sage-green fellow with chrome yellow furrows was not un-
common, but its identification is uncertain.
The Jelly-fish taken were the same species as previously cap-
tured. The most notable was a very large Rhizostoma cuvieri=.
pulmo, the disc measuring over thirteen inches in diameter. The
scalloped edge was of a bright violet colour; there are from nine to
ten of these scallops in each of the eight radial parts into which the
disc is divided; and at the termination of each radial vessel, there
is an eye, protected on either side by a film or veil, which hangs
over it like a transparent curtain. The peduncle, which is prettily
foliated, and eight arms hang down from the centre of the disc, and
the terminal points are triangular in form.
It was a lovely sight to see this jelly-like mass moving by the
contraction and expansion of its disc in the tub in which we placed
it; and I determined, if possible, to preserve it, so on landing, one
of the men was sent off to bring a large iron bucket in which we
H