AMPHITRITE INFUNDIBULUM. 285 



of the posterior half; and in 116 clays, this plume, 

 unfolded in nearly its natural figure, almost equalled 

 half the length of the body. While the sundered 

 fragment thus gained a plume, that of the original 

 entire animal still subsisted j therefore, in this case, 

 there were two contemporary plumes two complete 

 systems of branchial apparatus, in vigorous existence 

 at once, on two portions which had constituted an 

 integral animal, a strange and wonderful example 

 of the resources of nature in preserving from de- 

 struction creatures apparently so defenceless and in- 

 capable. 



The theory of such reproductions, indeed, involves 

 the naturalist in extraordinary embarrassment. It is 

 sufficiently surprising that ordinary wounds or lacera- 

 tions should heal that the energies of the system 

 should restore the integrity of mutilated organs essen- 

 tial for the preservation of the injured individual. 

 But, to behold the evolution of the most complex 

 structures, where none previously existed, nor could 

 exist, in accordance with the general organization of 

 the animal or that its development should be de- 

 pendent on an act of violence, is enough to perplex 

 the most accomplished physiologist. 



AMPHITRITE INFUNDIBULUM. The Funnel Amphitrite. 



This remarkable Annelide is easily recognizable by 

 its two semicircular tentacula, which, when spread 

 out and united, form nearly a regular circle. Each 

 tentacle is composed of about thirty-seven rays, con- 

 nected by a transparent web, except at the points, 



