NEW FACTS. 313 



The facts which I have observed are so opposed to 

 the current theories on this subject, that I have no 

 expectation of their gaining acceptance, until they 

 have been confirmed by others. But I am content to 

 await that confirmation, assured that it must come 

 sooner or later. Scepticism, be it never so authorita- 

 tive, cannot alter the facts ; and as I am quite sure of 

 what I have seen, and seen many times, I am sure it 

 will be seen by others. Unfortunately the Myrio- 

 phyllum is only to be had in deep water, and appears 

 not to be common, although it is abundant off Jersey ; 

 and there is also a possibility that the phenomenon 

 may not be observable in tliis species, dredged from 

 other coasts. I say possihility, because I am informed 

 by Professor Kolliker that the same species of Polype 

 (Eudendrmm) found off our coasts and the coast of 

 Naples, differs in this remarkable character : the one 

 produces eggs, and not Medusaa ; the other Medusae, 

 and not eggs. The same great anatomist assured me 

 that he also had seen something like what I have seen ; 

 he had seen the same species of Cainp)anularia '^xo- 

 ducing both eggs and Medusae, " but no one believed 

 me," he added. The plea for scepticism being, that 

 Professor Kolliker must have mistaken .two different 

 species for the same species — a hazardous assertion, 

 considering who is the observer. But this objection 

 cannot apply to my observation, for it was on the same 

 Polypidom that I found some of the capsules fiUed 

 with eggs, and some with Medusas. Even more start- 

 ling is the fact now to be mentioned. In one and the 



