velella

[ vuh-lel-uh ]

/ vəˈlɛl ə /

a floating colony of hydrozoans of the genus Velella, having a vertical crest that is used as a sail.

Origin of velella

1825–35; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin vēl(um) sail + -ella -ella

ve·lel·li·dous, adjective

velcro, veld, velde, veldskoen, veldt, velella, veleta, velic, veliger, velikiye luki, velitation

Thus in Velella free medusae are produced, which have been described as an independent genus of medusae, Chrysomitra.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 2 |Various
I kept one specimen, to show old and young barnacles attached to the same Velella.

Journals Of Two Expeditions Of Discovery In North-West And Western Australia, Vol. 2 (of 2) |George Grey
A Velella also was caught in the open bay: this is the first which has been observed in so high a latitude.

A New Voyage Round the World, in the years 1823, 24, 25, and 26, Vol. 2 |Otto von Kotzebue
As the barnacles grew larger, the remains of the velella changed into large excrescences, half the size of a walnut.

Journals Of Two Expeditions Of Discovery In North-West And Western Australia, Vol. 2 (of 2) |George Grey