PLUMULARIA. 155 



off to him, in the hope that what had been lacking was at 

 last found. At page 118 of the second edition, he says, 

 "Since the preceding sheet was printed, I have received 

 from my friend D. L. a specimen of Plumularia myriophyl- 

 lum with ovaries. These are very peculiar, and unlike any 

 I have observed in any other Sertularian zoophyte. In the 

 ovigerous plumules there arises from the base of the polype- 

 cell and on its outer side, a long gracefully curved process ; 

 and as all the processes curve round in one direction, they 

 give the pinnule a secund character and habit very different 

 from that of the barren shoots. The processes are alternate, 

 hollow, coarsely denticulated on the external edge; and at 

 their base, opposite the polype-cell, the ovaries are situated. 

 These are didymous, or in pairs, sessile, smooth, resembling 

 a mussel-shell in shape, and easily detached. They differ 

 from the horny vesicles of the Sertularince in texture and in 

 shape, and may best be described as naked ovaries. The 

 spinous process which protects them, appears to be formed 

 by a prolongation of the spine that supports the barren 

 polype-cell." 



This remarkable specimen was got by a fisherman, adher- 

 ing to his long lines, off Whiting Bay, Arran, and being 

 struck with its beauty, like a kind-hearted man, he took it 



