314 
TURBINOLIAD^. 
]\Ir. E. Q. Couch, however, says, “ In the youngest state 
the animal is naked, and measures about the fifteenth of an 
inch in diameter, and about the thirty-second of an inch in 
height. In the earliest state in which I liave seen tlie 
calcareous polypidom there were four small rays, whicii 
were free or unconnected \i.e. without any loalT] doAvn to 
the base ; in others I have noticed six primary rays, but 
in every case they were unconnected with each other. 
Other rays soon make their appearance between those first 
formed ; they are mere calcareous specks at first, but after- 
wards increase in size. The first union of the rays is 
observed as a small calcareous rim at the base of the 
polype, which afterwards increases both in height and 
diameter with the age of the animal.”* 
From a valuable series of observations made by Mrs. 
Thynne,f it would appear that the CaryophylUa discharges 
its ova in spring, which in about two days become rotating 
infusorioid animalcules. In a week or two these affix 
themselves, and develop tentacles and a disk, and gradually 
grow to the size, and even far more than the size, of the 
parent, with all the characteristic colours and marks, hut 
without the least trace of a coraUum. During the pi-ogress 
of this condition, the individuals increase rapidly by 
spontaneous fission, the separated portions immediately 
becoming independent animals. It is difficult to suggest 
any flaw in the evidence of identity ; but it is to be 
regretted that the experiments terminated without any 
sign of the development of a coralhim. 
Double and even triple specimens are not uncommon ; 
and I have seen at least two examples (one of which I now 
possess) that arc fourfold. J The appearance of such speci- 
mens is exactly that of a branching coral ; and, strange to 
* Quoted in Johnston’s Br. Zoopb. i. 199. 
t Ann. N. H. for June, 1859. 
+ Such a specimen I have figured in my Dev. Coast, pi. v. fig. 5. 
