CELLULARIA. 243 



Several minute, white, opaque corpuscula, probably gem mules, ap- 

 peared in different vessels receiving the specimen. They were solid and 

 consistent, obviously soft, as shewn by slight alterations of the shape. 

 Under magnifiers of considerable power, the body proved more cubical 

 and obtuse than spherical, begirt by numerous short cilia in rapid motion. 

 Two hairs or spinous processes, much longer than the cilia, apparently ori- 

 ginating below, came in view from certain positions of the animal. The 

 corpuscula move swiftly, shooting in a moment beyond the field of the 

 microscope. 



Fine specimens of this zoophyte are rare. 



Plate XLVIII. Fig. 1. Cellidaria avicularis. 



2. Portion shewing the dichotomous formation. 



3. The same enlarged. 



4. Hydra, profile. 



5. Hydra, front. 



6. Avicularium. 



7. Corpuscula or gemmules. 



All these figures, except figs. 1, 2, are enlarged. 



XLIX. Fig. 1. of Plate XLVIII. enlarged. 



Perhaps the Flustra Murrayana, subsequently described, might be ap- 

 propriately introduced here, from some apparent kindred to the preceding 

 subject. But it is of more foliaceous texture ; and, as frequently said, 

 this treatise being only a collection of detached memoirs, not a system, 

 any particular zoophyte may receive its proper place when it becomes 

 sufficiently familiar to observers. 



A very indefinite section seems to result from such a character as 

 CeUularia. 



\ 6. Avicularium.— Plates XLVI. Figs. 12, 13 ; XLVIII. Fig. 6. 

 — ^The subject of the preceding paragraph has received its specific name 

 from the presence of a singular organic body, which cannot fail to at- 

 tract the notice of all observers. Its position and nature prove the source 

 of much embarrassment, together with the peculiar and unaccountable 

 motions which it exhibits. 



