BAILEY : A MESSMATE OF LIMX.EA STAGXALIS. 9 



In all naid worms, it appears that the sexes are distinct, and that 

 propagation is both by ova and spontaneous transverse division. 

 Dr. W. B. Carpenter gives a somewhat minute account of the 

 remarkable process of the non-se.\ual multiplication of these 

 creatures. A bud is thrown out between two rings near the 

 middle of the body, and ultimately developes into a distinct 

 individual. Dr. Williams, in his Report of the British Annelida 

 presented before the British Association in 1851, declared " with 

 deliberate firmness that there is not one word of truth "' in the 

 descriptions which Prof. Owen, Dr. Carpenter, and others have 

 given of the reproduction of naid worms by a process of fission. 



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Figure i. Chatogaster venniciilaris, just after division has 

 taken place. Shewn in optical section from the under side. 



This confident assertion by such an acknowledged authority 

 is, to say the least, very surprising. For while examining 

 ChiVtogastev veniiiailaris under the microscope, I undoubtedly saw 

 the process completed. 1 did not make a sketch of the appear- 

 ance before division, but I noted ^•ery carefully certain facts 

 observed. Although the constriction near the middle of the body 

 was very decided, and the existence of two stomachs very 

 evident, it was equally clear that the alimentary canal was not 

 divided, and that minute portions of food passed through the 



