ESSAYS AND OBSERVATIONS 



Art. II. 



A Defcription of the Matrix or Ovary of the 

 Buccinum Ampullatum * ; by Robert 

 Whytt M. D. F. R. S. Fellow of the 

 Royal College of PhyficianSy ajid Profejfor 

 of Medicine in the Univerjity of Edin- 

 burgh. , 



Naturalists inform us that the huccina 

 and purpiirce^ the former towards the 

 clofe of the Winter and the latter in the 

 Spring, throw out a vifcid glutinous humor $ 

 which thickening and becoming dry, forms 

 a congeries of cells or receptacles connedted 

 together, fomething refembling the cods of 

 white vetches, and containing the nafcent 

 buccina or purpura. This congeries of cells 

 or pods is often found upon the fliore, and 

 fometimes miftaken for the hardened froth 

 of the fea. 



But whatever may be the manner in 

 which thefe cells are formed, the matrix, 



ovary 



* The buccinum ampullatum is that in which the hermit- 

 crab is found. 



