Symmetry of “Aurelia Aurita”

Abstract

DURING the last few months I have seen countless thousands of living specimens of Aurelia aurila, and have paid special attention to abnormal varieties. I have found not only such as have throughout the five-fold symmetry, seen by Mr. Unthank at Brightlingsea, as named in NATURE for August 22, but have with me on the Glimpse specimens stained and mounted as lantern slides having entire three-fold and entire six-fold symmetry, and one in which it is partially two-fold. I think it may be said that in Suffólk and Essex, a few such abnormal varieties occur per thousand of the normal. An imperfect four-fold symmetry is much more common.