Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/305

250 extremities. The segments are bordered by oval, puckered leaflets, the colour of which, being almost black, with an edging of light yellow green, gives the animal a most beautiful appearance, somewhat resembling that of a number of black velvet palls with their light fringes. The central part of the back is of a steel-blue, changing under the play of light to purple, with a highly metallic reflection. The under surface is of an opalescent grey.

The beauty in a great measure disappears on immersion in a preservative fluid. On the first touch of the solution I employ (Acetate of Alumina), a fluid was poured out copiously from all parts of the animal, which diffused itself, first as a lively green tint, then becoming yellow, which in about an hour became a warm orange-brown, quite transparent and without precipitation.

The various kinds of spears which are grouped into pencils, and placed along the sides of most of the animals of this Class, are among the most exquisite productions with which the naturalist is conversant, and show forth in a more than ordinary degree the delicate and inimitable skill of the Divine handiwork. In this animal they are less complicate than in some of which I have had occasion to speak; still, under a high microscopic power they are well worthy of admiration. In order to understand their arrangement, let me say, that each segment of the body is produced on each side into a little conical wart-like foot, on the upper