86 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



become more distinct ; several slender arms protrude from the 

 orifice of the vesicle, which are seen in vehement action ; and 

 after many struggles, an animated being escapes. But this 

 has no relation either to ilieplamcla of the Sertularia or the 

 corpusciihim of the Fludra, Alci/onium, or Actinia. It might 

 be rather associated with the 3Iednsaria. Before ascertaining 

 its origin, I had named it Animalciilum tinfinnahuhwiy from 

 its general resemblance to a common hand-bell, for the pur- 

 pose of recognition. This creature is whitish, tending to 

 transparency, about half a line in diameter; the body is like 

 a deep watch-glass, surmounted by a crest rising from the 

 centre, and fringed by about twenty-three tentacula pendent 

 from the lip below. These are of muricate structure, or 

 rough, and connected to the lip by a ball twice their own 

 diameter. The summit of the crest unfolds occasionally 

 mto four leaves, and four organs prominent on the con- 

 vexity of the body aj^pear at the base. When free, the 

 animal swims by jerks or leaps through the water, or drops 

 gently downwards ; it is incited to move by the light, and 

 it has survived at least eight days. Then it disappears; 

 at least, I have not been able to pursue its history longer. 

 No other product has ever issued from the vesicles of the 

 Sertularia dichoto})ia." 



