182 SEA- SIDE STUDIES. 



neously. From the lining membrane of the general 

 cavity, the male and female reproductive organs were 

 also developed, and there, in some species, the ova were 

 hatched, and the young (at first mere shapeless, ciliated 

 germs, swimming rapidly in the fluids of the cavity, 

 chambers, and tentacles) became fully formed, passed 

 into the stomach of the parent, and were ejected from 

 the mouth as perfect Actinias, with mouth, tentacles, 

 and suctorial foot. The author had thought it possible 

 that the prolongations from the foot of Actinia lace- 

 rafa might contain one of these hatched germs in its 

 imperfect state, and that it might be thus deposited on 

 the surface occupied by the parent, and its safety in- 

 sured. Having some specimens of dianthus in his 

 possession, he had waited for some time in vain for 

 their multiplication by fissure ; he therefore determined 

 to try an ex2jerimentu7)i crucis, and for that purpose 

 having placed the specimen in a jar of sea water, and 

 fed it until it had become fully distended, he examined 

 the edge of the foot, which was perfectly transparent, 

 with a powerful lens, and convinced himself that no 

 ovum or germ existed in that situation. He then sepa- 

 rated a piece about a line in length, by half a line in 

 breadth, from the edge of the foot. The parts imme- 

 diately receded from each other, and the next day he 

 found that the separated portion had crept to a consi- 

 derable distance along the glass. In two or three days 

 it had raised its divided edge from the surface to which 

 it was attached, and had become a curved column ; in 

 a fortnight tentacles had appeared ; and in three weeks 



