On Molecular and Microscopic Science, Volume 2 (of 2)Somerville, Mary
History
On Molecular and Microscopic Science, Volume 2 (of 2)
Somerville, Mary
Matter -- Constitution; Microscopy; Natural history
Some species of the Calanus, a marine genus of the one-eyed group, are
eminently social. Professor Dana found that the colour of those vast
areas of what the sailors call bloody water, met with off the coast of
Chili, was owing to shoals of the Calanus pontilla; and another immense
area of bloody water he met with in the North Pacific was owing to a
vast multitude of the Calanus sanguineus. Although this genus abounds
more in individuals in the temperate seas, the species are more varied
in the tropical. Those figured and described in Captain Maury’s works
were mostly microscopic and very beautiful; one fished up was grey with
a bunch of yellow feathers at the end of its tail. The egg-bags were
purple, another was green marked with scarlet tufted antennæ longer than
itself spread out at right angles from its head. This creature shone
with a bright phosphorescent light, visible even when a candle was
burning. These and many more were taken in tropical seas. They were
remarkable for the length of their antennæ; and it was observed that no
eyes were perceptible in such Crustacea as had these exaggerated
antennæ; these organs of intelligence and warning were probably
sufficient for their wants. When animals live without eyes on the
surface of a tropical sea, it is quite conceivable that similar
instruments of touch may suffice for those who live in the dark abyss
below.
The Ostrapods, which form the second order of the bristly-footed
Crustacea, are defended by a bivalve carapace; they have swimming limbs
and a confluent eye; that is, a number of simple eyes placed under a
glassy cornea.
[Illustration: Fig. 151. Cypris.]
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