BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 247 



stead of being as many as the bulbs, as in that species, were only two 

 to each group, one being placed at each extremity of the latter. These 

 tentacles were not apparently possessed of much contractile power, dif- 

 fering in this respect from B. Britannica, the tentacles of which are 

 exceedingly elastic. They were generally carried (in the present species) 

 in a stiff, extended position. The sub-umbrella is about two-thirds the 

 length of the body, and is slightly truncated at its summit. Peduncle, 

 four-lobed, yellow ; viewed from above, it presents an appearance as of 

 four leaves placed with their bases opposite to one another. The lip 

 characteristic of the genus is in this species very complicated, dividing 

 and subdividing a number of times. The animal is rather larger than 

 B. Britannica, but is much less lively and interesting in its motions. 



At the time of capturing this species, I also procured several indivi- 

 duals of B. Britannica. The difference between the two animals, which 

 were confined in the same vessel, was thus very readily observable. 



DIPLONEMA, nov. gen. (mihi). 



Umbrella globose, radiating vessels four simple, four conspicuous 

 ocelli opposite the four simple vessels. From one of the ocelli spring 

 two long tentacles ; peduncle cylindrical, slightly contracted near its 

 orifice, and terminating in four indistinctly lanceolate lips. 



D. Islandica, n. s. Plate XV., Fig. 7, a. 



The umbrella of this Acaleph is slightly inflated, globose, interme- 

 diate in form between that of Euphysa and Modeeria. Its length is 

 one-fourth of an inch ; the opening is surrounded by a marginal vessel 

 and veil. The ocelli are four in number, very conspicuous, of a brilliant 

 crimson colour. Three of these are destitute even of rudimentary tenta- 

 cles. From the fourth, however, two long translucent tentacles originate. 

 These are nearly colourless, slightly widening near their bases, and curled 

 as in Modeeria, when the animal is in motion. The sub-umbrella oc- 

 cupies about two- thirds of the length of the umbrella. Prom its centre 

 depends a cylindrical peduncle of a pale-yellowish fawn colour, slightly 

 contracted near the opening of the stomach, which is bordered by four 

 not very well-marked lanceolate lips. There is nothing remarkable in 

 the appearance of the four simple vessels. Prom the base of each of the 

 two long tentacles there sprouted a wart-like body, strongly resembling 

 those observed by Professor E. Porbes in the Sarsia prolifera. On one 

 of the tentacles themselves, at some distance from its junction with the 

 body, a third gemmule was observable. This was in a more advanced 

 condition, the ocelli being perceptible. As reproduction by gemmation 

 has been previously observed to take place from the peduncle and ten- 

 tacular bulbs, and in the present instance from the tentacles themselves, 

 the statement of Professor E. Porbes is fully verified, that gemmation 

 may occur anywhere in the course of the granular tissues. The habits 

 of this animal were lively and active, while its jerking movements, 

 when confined in a vessel of sea- water, rendered it an interesting and 



