TUNTCATES 171 
spangled with stars, outlined usually in brighter color than the 
general surface of the jelly-like mass. Careful examination shows 
that each “star” is composed of a half dozen or more mouth open- 
ings ranged around a central opening which serves as a common 
vent. Water is drawn in through the mouth openings and dis- 
charged through the vent together with waste products. The mi- 
nute larvee are tad pole-like in appearance and swim toward the light. 
Finally they become fastened by means of their slime to some solid 
object, and if in a situation suitable for growth they develop into a 
gelatinous expansion composed of numerous aggregated ascidians 
all derived by a process of budding from the original larva. 
In common with Molgula, this species often colonizes in the 
tanks of the New York Aquarium, the larvee being pumped in with 
the sea-water from the harbor. 
