On the Seproduction of the Virgularia. 379 



given of the localities and the other circumstances which at- 

 tend these sounds, which, however, cannot be here recited, I 

 have been led to infer that they proceed from the action of a 

 whirlwind formed on the leeward side of the hill, and revol- 

 ving upon a horizontal axis ; analogous in a degree, as I sup- 

 pose, to the celebrated Helm Wind of the Cross Fell Moun- 

 tain in Cumberland (England). 



The inquu-y opened to us by the consideration of these phe- 

 nomena is extensive and interesting, in all its bearings, and I 

 cannot but regret my inability to pursue it with the attention 

 which it so well merits. 



New York, December 31. 1838. 



On the Reproduction of the Virgularia or Pennatula mirabilis. 

 By Sir John Graham Dalyell. Communicated by the 

 Author. 



Few animal products are so little known as this, which is 

 one of the most singular and beautiful in the universe ; nor, in 

 as far as I am aware, is any correct representation of it ex- 

 tant. None that I have seen bears even a distant resemblance to 

 it, in the living state, excepting that of the indefatigable Mul- 

 ler, which seems, nevertheless, as much the result of recollec- 

 tion, as of actual delineation at the moment of inspection. 



The original is not to be recognised from preserved spe- 

 cimens. 



Having previously explained the various modes observed by 

 me, wherein different genera of zoophytes perpetuate their 

 race, I propose to devote a few words here to that of the sub- 

 ject in question. 



The virgularia preserved in spirits bears some imperfect re- 

 semblance to a feather, whence the name 'pennatula, recently 

 converted to virgularia. But, although difficult to be described, 

 let the reader rather conceive a yellow fleshy rod, environed by 

 a numerous series of oblique thin leaves, forming three-fourths 

 of a circle, with eight or ten small marginal knobs on each, 

 unfolding into as many asteroidal hydrae. The remaining 

 fourth of the circle is quite smooth and uniform. A central 



