AMPHITRITE. 239 
nucleus seemed to be composed of several smaller globules ; those of 
others were somewhat elongated : rudely angular in a few ; in many they 
were not referable to any given form. But, whether such variety was a 
symptom of advance or decay is doubtful—Plate XXXIL, fig. 2. 
Spawning continues during most of summer. Two specimens 
spawned first in May, in considerable quantity, and afterwards copiously 
in June. The whole broke up in six or seven days, without any definite 
result. 
On another occasion, two of sixteen specimens, procured on June 5, 
were turgid with spawn. They, accordingly, produced a great quantity 
on the 15th. Here, also, the ova were spherical, with a dark central 
nucleus, which, in some, appeared elongating within two days. But the 
whole decomposed immediately afterwards. Thus, in spite of every pre- 
caution, I have been always disappointed of the progeny of the Amphi- 
trite bombyw. 
It would be most desirable to ascertain the earliest aspect of such 
animals. Nevertheless, the accession of parts, both in respect to the seg- 
ments of the body and the organs composing the branchial apparatus, 
evidently augments. Being always fewer in the young than in the old, 
we may question whether any are sensibly different, as the foetus is libe- 
rated from the ovum. 
Reproduction —When disappointed of enquiries into one interesting 
subject, it is gratifying to find satisfactory illustrations of another. 
The present species, in common with the preceding, enjoys the most 
powerful reproductive energies from the gifts of nature. Those organs, 
whereof it may be bereaved by violence, or which may be consumed by 
disease, are completely restored, so that each mutilated animal again be- 
comes perfect. The plume is subject to gradual deperdition of its pecu- 
liar parts, the body is liable to privation of the plume, yet the whole are 
reproduced as if nothing had been deficient. 
A specimen which had been recently obtained, lost the plume com- 
pletely on the 5th of April. This separated portion, expanding an inch, 
lay at the bottom of the vessel. The branchis were partly in circular, 
partly in lunate order, with the central antennular organs rising erect 
