From one end of the bottom hangs a large bunch of curious-looking, bright-colored threads, and bags, and coiled tentacles which trail after it. You will see these streamers in the picture, and you may be surprised to learn that they are separate animals, forming a little colony, and floated by the same bladder. Still, they are not entirely distinct; they have various uses, and each contributes its share to the good of the colony. Some produce eggs, some do the swimming, some do the eating, and others are provided with lasso cells to procure food.
In such colonies of animals as this, the food which is taken by one individual helps to nourish all the others. This is accomplished by the circulation of fluids throughout the whole colony carrying nourishment to each one.
In animals that are more highly developed we shall find these offices performed by special parts of the same body. These different portions of the body, which are set apart to perform certain duties, are called organs. Thus we speak of the eye as the organ of sight, the ear as the organ of hearing, etc.
The tentacles of the Portuguese man-of-war are more than twenty feet long, yet they may be drawn up to within an inch of the bladder. It is exceedingly interesting to watch them as they are drawn up and then let down again. They are furnished with lasso cells, which not only wound the prey, but sting bathers or any persons who come in contact with them. Even after death the tentacles produce irritation when they are touched.
These beautiful creatures are found in tropical seas. They are abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, and they are often carried by the Gulf Stream into Northern waters. Occasionally they drift upon our own shore. Do you think you would recognize one floating on the ocean when you had not expected to see it? If you should ever have one in your possession, do not fail to dry it or keep it in alcohol, for although its delicate beauty can not be preserved, it will still be interesting to those who have never seen living ones.
One might suppose these animals were fond of society, since they float together in large companies, which have been fancifully called fleets. Travellers sometimes speak of meeting with them in great numbers, studding the surface of the ocean, and composed of both large and small animals, probably the young ones out sailing with their parents.
Shall I tell you a true story of a Portuguese man-of-war which was run down and captured by an American vessel?
Not many years ago a party of summer visitors on the quaint island of Martha's Vineyard, wishing to go to Gay Head, hired for the purpose a little steam-tug, and started one morning in fine spirits. Gay Head, I should tell you, is a promontory at the southwestern extremity of the island, remarkable for the curious manner in which the layer's of different-colored clays are deposited, making it look gay indeed. If you should see it, you would think it had been properly named. For quite a distance out at sea we may detect the distinct layers of black and white clays, with bright red and many soft shades of gray and yellow clay placed one above another, and all slanting from the top of the cliff at one side to the bottom of the other side.
The merry little party on board the steam-tug were enjoying the quiet waters and picturesque shores of Vineyard Sound, when a shrill cry from the children, "Portuguese man-of-war!" brought the whole party to that side of the boat in time to see the curious animal gliding past. It seemed to move very fast, but that was a deception caused by the rapid motion of the boat in the opposite direction.
Some of the party had a desire to catch the little thing floating so gallantly on the great waters, and as the Captain was easily persuaded, after a little delay the steamboat was turned about in its course, and started in pursuit. Does it not strike you as an uneven race? The eager company of men, women, and children, and the Captain too, and the pilot, with the steam-engine at their bidding, all intent upon overtaking the Portuguese man-of-war! So it appeared to some of those who were present, and the capture seemed rather an ignominious one. One little girl wondered how they had the heart to catch such a beautiful thing.