177 



It belongs to a group of the actinozoaria, or radiated animals ; and De Blainville 

 places it in the Diphydce. 



The Noctiluca miliaris, here figured, is of a globular form, to which is attach- 

 ed a peduncle or tail-like appendage ; and its interior exhibits, through the pellicle, 

 numerous radiating vessels emanating from an ellipitical centre, placed nearer to 

 one side of the circle than the other. During life, these appear to dilate and 

 expand ; and the phosphorescent property lies in them, but is only exhibited 

 during a state of activity, when their motion is too rapid to be observed, resembling 

 a quick pulsation. The whole globular mass being propelled in every direction by 

 a jerking motion of the pedunculated stem, the extreme difficulty of catching sight 

 of one of these little restless creatures in a humour to be minutely examined, pre- 

 vents a more detailed description ; but we beg leave to call the attention of Natu- 

 ralists so situated as to have frequent opportunities of investigating their structure, 

 in order to elucidate more clearly the singular natural phenomenon produced by 

 this wonderful Marine Illumination Company. 



A Correspondent is desirous of ascertaining the best existing catalogues 

 in the various departments of Natural History. He wishes to know from what 

 works, whether professedly catalogues or not, the most comprehensive lists may 

 be obtained of the different classes of animated nature, by adding which together, 

 the amount of the grand total might be roughly guessed at — as far, at least, as 

 our present confessedly scanty knowledge of the hosts by which we are surround- 

 ed would allow us. 



vol i. 2a 



