256 Miscellaneous. 



order is thus, according to these observations, in a constant state of 

 change of development, of maturity and atrophy; this series of 

 changes being in rapidity directly proportional to the profuseness of 

 the secretion. 



In the second order of glands, the follicular, as exemplified in the 

 liver of Carcinus Maenas, the germinal cell or spot is situated at the 

 blind extremity of the follicle, and the cells produced from this 

 spot, as they advance along the follicle, become distended with their 

 peculiar secretion. 



Among other general conclusions deducible from these observa- 

 tions, it appeared that ducts are intercellular passages, into which 

 the secretions formed by cells are cast. 



Finally, the author inferred, from the whole inquiry, that, 1st, se- 

 cretion is a function of, and takes place vdthin, the nucleated cell ; 

 and that, 2nd, growth and secretion are identical, — the same process 

 under different circumstances. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



NOTES ON MARINE ANIMALS. 



June 24th, lat. N. 36° 9', long. W. 164°, some brown-looking 

 masses are floating about the ship ; they are numerous, and appear 

 like fragments of sea- weed. On catching some they proved to be a 

 species of Anatifa. They are grouped together in bunches, and 

 on examining them for the marks of attachment to a foreign sub- 

 stance, I thought I could distinguish these in two of the smaller 

 masses, but on searching the larger carefully they were not visible. — 

 25th. We have traversed 120 miles since yesterday, and the Anatifa 

 still continues. The temperature of the sea has been from 61° to 65°, 

 and of the air about 65°, throughout the twenty-four hours. We 

 caught more today, and also finer specimens ; they are undoubtedly 

 without a place for attachment to a foreign body, for I have again ex« 

 amined them carefully. The water is likewise full of minute animals 

 of the most lively motions.— 27th. Lat. N. 43° 3', long. W. 164'' 9'. 

 The Anatifa still continues, and since the 24th we have unceasingly 

 been passing through them. Night and day they continue the sarne^ 

 and are surprisingly numerous. According to the log, we have now 

 travelled 332 miles among them. After sunrise this morning the sur- 

 face of the sea was observed to be covered with multitudes of Velella. 

 For the last eight hours, moving at the rate of three miles and a half in 

 the hour, they have been equally numerous. The curious and beautiful 

 processes at their base have among them a great number of small 

 gelatinous animals, but apparently without motion. One of them 

 had a mass of small Anatifa within its gripe. Our course, since we 

 have been among these animals, has been northerly with a little oc- 

 casional zigzag deviation. I feel pretty certain that this is a large 

 assemblage of Anatifa, which in all probability have lived here a con- 

 fiiderable period, and continue to grow and increase their numbers 

 whilst floating on the surface. Our course being in the direction ta 



