212 ZOOPHYTES. 



versed like the former. Nevertheless, when a third half hour elapsed, it 

 had affixed itself; and it fed. Thus, ocular demonstration ascertained 

 the fact, realizing before me, as it must have done to others, the ancient 

 fable of parturition by the mouth ! 



The parturient animal is always extraordinarily compressed : the 

 whole exterior parts are languid and inactive : the internal contents dis- 

 tending the body have been discharged, and, for a considerable time, it re- 

 mains contracted to a tenth of its original dimensions. 



One day in October, the same Actinia, Plate XL V., being much 

 compressed at noon, as before, and the mouth protruding conically, an em- 

 bryo, or rather a mature foetus, dropped from it reversed. Contracting 

 itself still farther, other four followed the first within half an hour. 



These facts, I say, are to be very rarely witnessed. Parturition is an 

 incident so transient, that it may readily escape the most diligent observer. 

 I have repeatedly watched its most common symptoms, yet disappointed 

 of the issue, for after great compression, during many hours, Actiniae have 

 resumed their wonted size. I doubt whether naturalists have not rather 

 indulged in conjectures regarding this subject, than have spoke from 

 actual experience and demonstration. 



It becomes important, therefore, to verify such remarkable deviations 

 from what is the common course of the nature of the animal world. 



The vessel containing the specimen, Plate XLV., having been emp- 

 tied on May 23, it was replenished within an hour. Then, the Actinia 

 contracted greatly ; the tentacula dwindled down, and the mouth pro- 

 jected considerably from the circumscribed disc. Thus did the specimen 

 appear soon after replenishment. Now a large foetus was observed within 

 the orifice : it was advanced slowly, but none of the tentacula were visible ; 

 there seemed to be some adhesion of the side, whereon it lay in a horizon- 

 tal position, not by the base. As the young animal was farther advanced, 

 it turned round, but still lay on the side. Four tentacula appeared, next 

 another, and when still on the margin of the orifice, five could be enume- 

 rated. It was gradually detached, and having at length hung by a single 

 tentaculum, dropped to the bottom of the vessel on its base. The nascent 

 Actinia affixed there almost immediately, and the complement of ten- 



