MISCELLANEOUS. 245 



by a public conveyance for him, reached the place of its destination in 

 safety, just at the date of the drawing, fig. 5. 



In a year and nine months from the date of acquiring the pecten, 

 I grossly computed that fifty hydrae, old and young, yet remained on the prin- 

 cipal portion of it. Many had been there from the first, and, no doubt, about 

 that time, several had lost the medusan rolls. But neither they, nor those 

 on a smaller portion reserved, manifested any symptoms of metamorphosis 

 on expiry of the year, that is, on arrival of the second season : nor has the 

 naturalist above specified signified that Medusae have come of his colony. 

 Recurring to the subject of this paragraph, as delineated fig. 5, 

 I found its progeny amounting to twenty-nine, mostly dispersed over the 

 surface of the watch-glass, besides a confused group around the origi- 

 nal parent, fig. 6, which animal, a, together with the largest of the young, 

 are represented separately, fig. 7. 



Such was the appearance of the subject a year and nine months after 

 losing the roll of Medusae. 



I was no less curious to discover the result on the return of still an- 

 other breeding season. But it passed as before. Nothing definite en- 

 sued. Neither the parent animal, nor any of the others, exhibited any 

 symptoms of metamorphosis. 



Therefore, the precise circumstances antecedent to the formation, and 

 consequent on dissolution of the medusan roll, are still wrapt in mystery. 

 All that can be positively affirmed, concentrates in our having once beheld 

 the roll as if implanted on the disc, that it divides into minute Medusa?, but 

 leaving a shapeless fleshy bulb behind, which developes as a fine and per- 

 fect hydra, and is prolific of progeny in its own likeness ; also, that during 

 two complete years, comprehending the breeding season of each, after having 

 remained behind as freed of the minute Medusae, the developing hydra 

 neither generates another roll nor undergoes the slightest metamorphosis. 



Plate L. Fio. I. Hydra of Vol. I., Plate XX. figs. 6, 7, 20, 21, 22, as appear- 

 ing 125 days after losing the roll of Medusae. 

 2. The same, 237 days from liberation of the Medusae. Its own 

 progeny here omitted. 



