58 VEEMES. 



three inches of the posterior extremity were observed sundering from the 

 remainder, the animal at the same time becoming quiescent. The frac- 

 tured parts being connected only by means of the intestine, I separated 

 them with scissors. 



The sundered portion contracted next day to an inch and a half on 

 transference to another vessel. 



Now the mutilated trunk remained at rest, but when committed to 

 recent sea water, its wonted gambols commenced as if nothing had hap- 

 pened. 



The preceding facts led me to conclude that the animal was a Gordius, 

 or nearly allied to the race ; for rupture of the body is incident to that 

 genus, and the parts frequently remain contracted, flattened, and still, 

 after it has taken place. 



The portion thus sundered did not perish, it continued either quies- 

 cent, as seen, Plate VII. fig. 3, or extended and crawling as fig. 4, on 

 October 15, after losing a fragment, fig. 10, on the preceding day. The 

 same having generated a papilla at the lower extremity, was seen on De- 

 cember 19, as fig. 5. 



This large sundered portion, fig. 3, which had separated on October 

 12, was carefully preserved, in hopes of its reproducing the parts defec- 

 tive at each extremity. For a considerable time its dimensions continued 

 almost stationary. Nevertheless the wounds healed, the anterior part 

 shewed an incurvature, and the posterior extremity was prolonged into a 

 more regular shape, with the lapse of sixty-eight days, or on 19th Decem- 

 ber, as exhibited by fig. 5. 



Four months subsequent to the mutilation, the form had undergone 

 still greater improvement. But neither was a marginal groove to be dis- 

 covered in front, nor a slit below, denoting the mouth, as in perfect animals. 



This was not the only mutilation of the trunk of this specimen. 

 Other three portions had separated from it on October 19, and these 

 being followed by more, only five inches of this trunk or original animal 

 remained entire. In three weeks from the date of its acquisition, symp- 

 toms of decay were indicated, it became disfigured ; yet when reduced 

 farther to only two inches in length on October 25, life was not extinct, 

 though no animation could be recognised on the subsequent day. 



