the Cape Ceplialodiscus. 239 



Cephalodiscus thus procures its food-supply entails, of course, 

 a much freer mode of life than in the strictly tubicolous 

 Phoronis, but the present observation seems to show that this 

 is the actual case, and that the zooids are freely exposed to the 

 surrounding water and may even attain a freer exposure by 

 climbing up the spine, the function of which is thus indicated. 

 The bill and zooids were secured to the ccencecium by their 

 proboscides, which apparently secreted the mucus-like sub- 

 stance seen on detaching them. There was no evidence that 

 there was any such secretion by the arms. The coencecium- 

 building would therefore appear to be due to the proboscides, 

 though sufficient evidence of this will probably only be 

 secured when active and healthy zooids are observed in the 

 building process. 



Pigmentation. 



When alive the zooids and buds were of a black colour, 

 which under the microscope appeared a very dark brown. 

 The whole of the proboscis, collar, and body was of this colour, 

 with a somewhat darker shade on the upper region of the 

 proboscis furthest from the red line, which was observed to 

 be as characteristic a feature of living as of preserved speci- 

 mens. The dark colour extended on to the stalk or stolon, 

 but here at a few places it was absent or represented by some- 

 what scattered dark brown pigment-spots. The position and 

 extent of these less-coloured parts varied in different indi- 

 viduals. The appearance of the arms and tentacles was 

 totally different, and stood out in strong contrast to that of 

 the body ; they were of a conspicuous white colour, often 

 tinged with a faint yeliow. The black colour rapidly 

 dissolved out when the animal was put into the preserving 

 fluid, which then assumed a brown appearance. In some 

 cases the fluid was renewed daily three times before 

 remaining clear. If left without renewal the fluid gradually 

 cleared, the colour being redeposited in the animal and 

 ccencecium. 



Further observations on the living animals were not 

 possible, owing to the fact that they died off so quickly. 

 Probably with a good supply of sea-water at the proper 

 temperature it may yet be possible to gather much more 

 information, and even to keep the animals under observation 

 in an aquarium. 



Eggs, Embryos, and Larvw. 



By unexpected good fortune the very first specimen pro- 

 cured was sufficient to demonstrate the general appearanec of 



