ON M@RISIA LYONSI. 363 
c. Reproduction by Lateral Budding. 
In addition to the young medusee many of the hydranths 
bear a small number of oval buds attached by short peduncles 
to the parent body (figs. 2, 6, 7, Lat. B!.). They are usually 
developed from the proximal region of the hydranth, but 
occasionally some may be found in a more distal position, 
either between the tentacles or at the base of the hypostome. 
The buds arise as hollow outgrowths of ectoderm and 
endoderm, which later become constricted at their bases. 
The endoderm at the place where such a bud is formed is 
considerably modified, the cells becoming almost amorphous 
and charged with an enormous number of yolk-lke granules, 
which probably form a reserve of nutritive substances. The 
mesogloea in this region is thin and inconspicuous; the 
ectoderm, however, is not much modified, and contains 
numerous nematocysts. . 
The buds occasionally develop one or two tentacles (fig. 6, 
Lat. B.); for this reason they may possibly represent much 
modified hydranths. Normally they become completely 
detached from the parent body. I have found several 
liberated buds of this type, some of which had _ secreted 
a gelatinous ectodermal investment; their fate I have been 
unable to ascertain. 
Such a process of asexual reproduction is, I think, quite 
unique; the nearest approach to it seems to occur in 
Myriothela. In this genus, according to Hardy (1), oval 
buds are developed at the junction of stolon and body; 
occasionally an isolated one may be found higher up in the 
tentacle-bearing region. 
Their development, as described by the above-named 
author, is also similar to that of the lateral buds of 
Meerisia, and we find the same modification of the endo- 
derm cells. In Myriothela, however, the buds develop 
directly into daughter-polyps before becoming detached, 
although connection with the cavity of the parent is lost 
at an early stage. 
