71 CLAVATELLID^E. 



buds are almost always present ; they are constant in 

 position, forming two clusters at opposite points on the 

 lower portion of the body. Each cluster consists of three 

 or four buds in various stages of development, from a sim- 

 ple excrescence on the surface of the body to the fully 

 formed zooid. As it approaches maturity, the movements 

 of the gonozooid become frequent and vigorous; and at 

 length the pedicle by which it is attached gives way, and 

 it enters upon its term of free existence, moving about by 

 means of its suctorial disks. It now bears a considerable 

 resemblance to a Lilliputian starfish. In its movements 

 and mode of life it presents a marked contrast to the 

 medusiform zooid of other Hydrozoa. The latter is active 

 and mercurial, dancing gaily through the water by means 

 of the vigorous strokes of its crystalline swimming-bell. 

 The former strides leisurely along, or, using the adhesive 

 disks as hands, climbs amongst the branches of the weed. 

 In. the latter stage of its existence it becomes stationary, 

 fixing itself by means of its suckers ; and thus it remains, 

 the capitate arms standing out rigidly, like the rays of a 

 starfish, until the embryos are ready to escape. 



Claparede states that he has met with specimens in 

 which there were two ocelli at the base of each arm. 



Clavatella prolifera was first discovered at Torquay. It 

 occurred in the small basins scooped out in the masses of 

 limestone with which the shores of Torbay are, in many 

 parts, so thickly strewn, amongst forests of Laomedea 

 flexuosa and companies of the daisy-anemone in posses- 

 sion of every chink and cranny, and scattered colonies of the 

 exquisite little Zoanthus sulcatus. It is found universally 

 in the higher and smaller pools, and prefers such as 

 are clean and not much overgrown by weed. It requires 

 close observation and a keen eye to detect the presence of 

 the polypites, which are like the finest threads. In a 



