112 THE AQUARIAN NATURALIST. 



tubular stem with a diffusing root below (PI. II. 



%- 2, 9} - 



A fine specimen of Eudendrium ramosum was ob- 

 tained towards the end of September,, five inches high, 

 and apparently very old, which was remarkable for 

 the profusion of pure white vesicles on the branches, 

 disposed in clusters of five, six or seven together. 



Within a few days many Planula, all pure white, 

 had been discharged by the vesicles corresponding in 

 shape with those above described (PL II. fig. 2, e} } 

 presenting an obtuse rounded head, thick and fleshy 

 body, and tapering towards the tail, which was also 

 obtuse. The number of Planulse continued augment- 

 ing, but in a short time their motion relaxed ; they 

 became stationary and quiescent, and the alteration 

 of their shape announced approaching metamorphosis. 

 Meantime a root was diffusing below, and a stomach 

 forming above ; and the higher portion, by the re- 

 fining and improvement of the parts, began gradually 

 to assume the aspect of its species. 



Besides the above-described mode of increase, the 

 Eudendrium ramosum, wonderful to relate, gives birth, 

 under certain circumstances, to a race of animals 

 widely different from itself both in form and attributes. 



Practical naturalists, observes Sir John Dalyell, 

 must be well-aware that numerous colonies of minute 

 Medusae, and even successive generations of them, 

 sometimes appear in vessels containing various marine 

 collections. But it is extremely difficult to pursue 

 the history and progress of such transparent, un- 

 manageable, and, too often, evanescent beings; their 

 sudden existence has surprised me again and again. 



