ALCYONIUM. 47 



other zoophytes, proving, in a remarkable manner, the uniformity of that 

 great design superintending the fabrication of the universe. 



We must feel the more satisfaction when able to ascertain any defi- 

 nite facts illustrating this obscure portion of the history of such zoophytes, 

 on considering our abortive attempts to elucidate them, where alike de- 

 sirable. 



Nevertheless, my personal observations on the subject are rather ge- 

 neral than special, in as far as restrained by my inability to distinguish the 

 precise limits of the genus of the Scotish Alcyonium, and its varieties. 

 Whatever care I have bestowed upon them, and whatever confidence I 

 myself may repose on the accuracy of my observations, I could desire an 

 opportunity of repeating the whole, though the result has been brief, and 

 might be so again. 



At different seasons of the year numerous dingy white or yellowish 

 granules, of various intensity, stud the fleshy substance of the Alcyoniiun. 

 Probably they are generated below, and rise to the surface, but I have 

 been hitherto unable to discover the peculiarities regulating their origin, 

 progress, number, and variety. 



Many whitish internal granules were conspicuous on March 1, in the 

 small specimen represented Plate XVII. fig. 4. Some were soon discharged 

 as ciliated gemmules or corpuscula, fig. 12, in which state they perished. 



The specimen, Plate XVII. fig. 5, was occupied by hydra?, as above 

 said, protruding, with 16, 17, or 18 tentacula, all these numbers being dis- 

 played. While these active creatures were withdrawn and quiescent, 

 low papilla? covering the surface, denoted the place of their retreat. 



On February 16, about 20 gemmules were swimming in the vessel con- 

 taining the specimen, which, being transferred to another, about 30 more 

 were rapidly traversing the latter on the 21st. All these corpuscula were 

 pure white, opaque, solid, and moving somewhat heavily, though with con- 

 siderable force. Their conformation was various and irregular ; for the 

 most part rudely elliptieal, convex above, flattened below, and with a kind 

 of projection from one extremity. Cilia begirt the whole circumference ; 

 also a circle of cilia of relaxed motion appeared to be under the projection, 

 fig. 13. It is impossible to determine the precise description of the cilia. 



