Translation of the original German introduction by Ernst Haeckel:
Phylum of Cnidaria (Nesseltiere); - subclass of Siphonophorae (Staatsquallen); - order of Cystonectae (Blasenquallen).
The subclass of Siphonophorae is constituted by a number of highly interesting Cnidaria, swimming at the ocean surface, characterized by a flower-like shape and graceful movements of their tender bodies; likewise, they are of great importance for the crucial question of division of labour (ergonomics) and related form division (Polymorphism). The mature body of all Siphonophorae forms a colony (Cormus) and is composed of numerous individual personae, originally medusa-like; these divide the various tasks of life (swimming, feeding, preying, sensing, reproducing); hence, through adaptation they have assumed most diverse forms. All body parts of the Siphonophorae are more or less transparent, often beautifully coloured as if made of colourful glass, and yet, very sensitive and flexible. The size of most species varies from ten to ninety centimeter; the largest varieties reach a length of about one meter and more.
Translation by VR Translators Bangalore
We've scanned the original lithography at 1200dpi on the Epson A3 scanner of A3 scanner huren. You can download a 400dpi JPEG here.