14 CLAVIDzE. 



CYAN.EA COCCINEA (free zooid), Davis, Ann. N. H. vii. (1841) 234, pi. ii. 



fig. 1,2,3. 

 CLAVULA Gossn (the polypite), T. Strethill Wright, Edin. New Phil. Journ. 



(N. S.) for July 1859, pi. yiii. fig. 1. 



Plate III. fig. 1. 



POLYPITES minute, of a crimson colour, borne on short 

 stalks, which rise at intervals from the creeping stolon ; 

 tentacles about 12, the upper row long, four in number, 

 erect, the rest scattered, shorter, inclined upwards. 



GONOZOOID. UMBRELLA, in the mature zooid, subhemi- 

 spheric, slightly pointed above, transparent, smooth, with 

 four longitudinal bands ; MANUBRIUM of a rich crimson 

 when laden with the ova, the mouth with four lips, 

 which are fimbriated at their edge; MARGINAL TENTACLES 

 more than 60 in number, closely set, very contractile, 

 each of them springing from a large bulbous base, on the 

 upper part of which is a brilliant crimson ocellus. 



THE sexual zooid of this species has long been known, 

 having been described by Lesson in 1837 as an indepen- 

 dent animal. Forbes gives it a place amongst his naked- 

 eyed Medusae, and celebrates its beauty. In its native 

 element it "is brilliant as a bead of brightest coral." Mr. 

 Gosse obtained the first clue to its history in 1852, having 

 observed the escape of the embryos from the ovary and 

 their subsequent development into minute polypites. Dr. 

 Wright was afterwards fortunate enough not only to rear 

 the polypites, but also to keep them until they had attained 

 their perfect form. We are still ignorant of the position 

 in which the reproductive bodies are developed, and of 

 their early history. 



The embryo is oval, dark crimson in colour, and ciliated. 

 After becoming attached it is developed into a branching 

 stolon, from which perpendicular stems originate, bearing 

 polypites with four long and straight tentacles. The further 



