324 THE INHABITANTS OF THE SEA. 
which the blood circulates, the Botrylli form translucent jelly- 
b b 
Botryllus violaceus. Two of the 
stems magnified. 
a. Common test. 
b. Some of the branchial orifices. 
ec. The common anal orifice of one of the 
systems. 
like masses of various hues of 
orange, yellow, purple, blue, grey, 
and green ; sometimes nearly uni- 
form in tint, sometimes beautifully 
variegated, and very frequently 
pencilled as if with stars of 
gorgeous device; now encrust- 
ing the surface of the rock, now 
descending from it in icicle-like 
projections. They are also fre- 
quently attached to the broad- 
leaved fuci, investing the stalks, 
or clothing with a glairy coat 
the expanse of the fronds. “In 
examining their bodies,” says 
the distinguished naturalist pre- 
viously quoted, “we find that it 
is not a single animal which is 
before us, but a commonwealth 
of beings bound together by common and vital ties. Each 
Diazona violacea (magnified). 
star is a family, each group of stars a community. Individuals 
are linked together in systems, systems combined into masses. 
