520 THE MICROSCOPE. 



great interest, the Anguinaria, — from the Latin anguis, a 

 snake. This, and also Notamia, belong to the class Polyzoa. 

 An account of the Anguinaria spatulata, "Snake-head 

 Coralline," appeared in the Transactions of the Microscopical 

 Society, by Mr. Busk, who corrects the errors of other ob- 

 servers. The polype is parasitical upon fuci, and is not un- 

 frequently associated with other kinds on the same plants, 

 as in fig. 244, No. 2, on Campannlaria. The A. spatulata 

 "as a whole, consists, like all its congeners, of two distinct 

 portions, one usually termed the radical, and another which 

 constitutes the proper polype cells. In the present instance, 

 the arrangement of these parts is in some respects 

 very peculiar and curious ; but it will be found upon 

 strict examination to accord accuratelv with the uni- 



t/ 



versal type." 



" In the radical tubes, and on the dorsal or upper surface 

 of the dilated extremity of the polype-cell, represented 

 at No, 2, this earthy matter is deposited in the form of 

 minute angular or rounded particles, presenting faint 

 traces of a linear arrangement ; but in the main body 

 of the polype-cell, or the upright portion, the calcareous 

 material is arranged in beautifully regular rings, giving 

 that part of the zoophyte a peculiarly elegant appear- 

 ance under the microscope. This calcareous ingredient 

 is sufficiently abundant to render the contents of the 

 radical tubes and polype-cells indistinct ; and to obtain 

 a satisfactory view of these parts it is necessary to remove 

 the earthy matter by some weak acid. When this is 

 done, it will be found that the contents of the radical 

 portion are coarsely granular, and the wall rather thicker 

 than those of the proper polype-cell. The latter contains 

 an ascidian polype, which has about twelve tentacles, and 

 no gizzard." The polype, as far as Mr. Busk has observed, 

 is always lodged in the upright portion of the cell ; but 

 the long retractor muscular fibres arise near the com- 

 mencement of the horizontal portion of the cell, from its 

 upper wall, and nearly at one point. 



The expanded portion of the cell, besides the special 

 muscles of tlie aperture, contains other muscular fibres, in 

 all respects resembling those described by Dr. Farre, aa 

 conducing to the extrusion of the polype in BowerhanJda, 



